Loneliness Awareness Week
What is loneliness awareness week ?
It's a time of year dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues.
We are all affected by loneliness at times in our lives, and sometimes some of us can be surrounded by family and friends but the feeling of loneliness can be crippling inside. It can be hard admitting to people we feel this way, but it is important to continue raising awareness and not to be feel embarrassed.
What causes loneliness ?
There can be many reasons for our loneliness - and sometimes there is no obvious cause and it's just how we feel. However, things that happen to us in life, like losing a loved one, perhaps through a bereavement or break-up, can make us feel lonely.
Other life changes, especially those that take us away from home or may cause us to be more socially isolated, can also make us lonely, including:
leaving to go to university.
staying home as a new parent.
a long-term health condition that results in either long stays in hospital or being unable to leave home.
becoming a full-time carer for someone we live with.
Some ways loneliness can be experienced by
emotional loneliness - a lack of emotional attachment to someone like a close friend or partner
social loneliness - a lack of friends to go out with, or who share our hobbies or interests.
existential loneliness - a sense of being in a room of people you know and still feeling alone.
Others may feel lonely at specific times of the year, Christmas can be one of those times.
Loneliness is found to be the highest among younger people as, according to the BBC Loneliness Experiment, 40% people within the age group 16-24 admit to feeling lonely while the percentage of people who feel lonely above age 75 is around 27%. This raises the question why younger people say they feel lonely, maybe because they are prepared to admit those feelings in comparison to the older generation who may feel the need to stress their independence.
A personal story from a client of AGE UK Norwich
Loneliness.. just seeing that word written down can be quite upsetting. I have been alone for nearly 15 years now, at first it was quite daunting, afraid to get involved or join anything. But as I've got older, I've now accepted it and feel a lot better about being alone.
Loneliness can cause all sorts of emotions, fear, dread, panic and worry. It can make you feel isolated and can take over, if you let it. Sometimes I can go a whole week without speaking or seeing anyone.
Age UK Norwich has helped me as I now go to an art and crafts group once a month, I really enjoy going. I've met some nice people, join in the conversations and love the activities, it's my 2 hours when I don't feel alone or lonely. I've been inspired by the crafts we do at the group and have now taken up painting at home as a direct result of the classes.
I would encourage anyone who feels lonely or isolated to get in touch with Age UK Norwich to see what they can offer in the way of meeting people your own age and in your own situation, it's a good way to start meeting people and be able to get out and join in again, it definitely breaks up the loneliness.
Find out more about the support Age UK Norwich can offer here.
Audrey's Story
From my own personal experience, loneliness can have a real impact on well-being, both mental and physical.
Over the years I have experienced di erent kinds of loneliness, at di erent times in my life. From being a young mother with a toddler living in a remote farmhouse in Kenya, to feeling lonely in a roomful of people as a young divorcee.
The loneliness of the elderly is again something di erent, often due to a disability, hearing impairment, vision impairment, poor mobility, lack of transport, lack of opportunity, lack of access, and low income.
Age UK Norwich have recognised this, and helped tackle loneliness for those people, by offering outings which are also disabled friendly giving people the opportunity to socialise and make friends which really helped lift my spirits and had a positive impact on my well-being.
I am so grateful for the tremendous support I have received from Age UK Norwich, from regular social events, exercise classes, and support in filling out forms.
The great sta and volunteers at Age UK Norwich do everything they can to reach out to people, providing warmth and friendship, and without them my life would be a lonely place like so many other elderly folk.
Find out more about the support Age UK Norwich can offer here.
Is loneliness the same as being alone?
If you are in a relationship, you may not be alone but you can certainly still feel lonely. Maybe because you may feel like you are not being acknowledged, or understood by those around you.
You can feel lonely when your relationships are lacking in emotional depth, if you have grown apart from someone or if communication has broken down. You might feel lonely when you are by yourself, yet other people may live alone and live very happily with little social contact.
Loneliness can have different levels of intensity, this can change from moment to moment too, and last for longer periods of time.
Tips on dealing with loneliness
Keep in touch with people Regular chats with people can help when you are feeling alone, it also helps the person you are contacting.
Join a group Being part of a group or club, is a great way to connect with people and it develops a sense of community. Being surrounded by like minded people, and encouraging others. Not only will you be helping yourself, you will be helping others.
Do things you enjoy If you can fill your time up with things you enjoy., this will take the thinking time away from feeling the loneliness. It may take a little more of a push to do, but well worth it.
Share your feelings If you can talk more openly about your feelings, it will then become easier next time you need to chat to someone. Hearing a familiar voice can also help feel less isolated.
Connect with others or volunteer to help Try and be more open to making new connections, just a smile, or a chat can open up conversations. Volunteering can be a great way to help combat loneliness and is an opportunity to stimulate both your body and your mind.
Find volunteering opportunities near you here
Invite someone to come with you to a local activity There are many free and low cost activities you can take part in, but it can be daunting going on your own for the first time. Invite someone to come along with you the first time.
Did you know we offer FREE social events ? Find out more here
Information and Support for Loneliness
Mind - Mind has information about dealing with loneliness and offer tips and advice on coping with these feelings.
Campaign Against Living Miserably - CALM runs a free phone line and web chat that is open 5pm to midnight everyday. Chats are, confidential and anonymous. Call 0800 58 58 58
NSPCC - Offer a free 11 week course to help young people understand and manage loneliness with a trained befriender.
Silverline - is a free 24 hour confidential telephone helpline offering information, friendship and advice to people over 55, call 0800 4 70 80 90
Befriending Networks - Find information on befriending, including an online directory of UK befriending services that you can refer yourself or someone else to.
The Mix - offers free confidential help for under 25's to get support online and via a helpline, 0808 808 4494, or text 'THEMIX' to 85258
Wellbeing - How we can support you
Here at Wellbeing we want you to know that we are here to help and to let you know that there are things you can do right NOW!! As we also understand how important it is to feel connected and part of a community.
Did you know that we offer FREE weekly social events hosted by our warm and friendly Community Development Team. You can register your place today at one of our events, we offer online and face to face groups, so there is something for everyone!
Check out what we are offering you this month, click here.
If you are feeling low, worried, or maybe suffering with anxiety, we are here to help. You can call us Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, on 0300 123 1503 , or can self refer anytime directly via our website.
For free the Wellbeing service offers:
CBT( Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
