Loneliness and Social Isolation

Loneliness is the feeling that the connection someone has does not meet the connection they need. Social isolation means having very little contact with other people.

Someone can live alone without feeling lonely, or feel deeply lonely while surrounded by family, colleagues or other people. Neither experience is a personal failure.

Loneliness can follow bereavement, retirement, separation, moving home, disability, illness, caring responsibilities, hearing or sight loss, communication difficulties, poor mobility, poverty, unsafe neighbourhoods, discrimination, leaving care, becoming a parent, remote working or losing confidence.

Several changes may happen together. The most useful support depends on what is making connection difficult for that person.

Possible changes include withdrawing, stopping usual activities, reduced self-care, changes in sleep or appetite, increased alcohol use, repeated expressions of worthlessness, worsening anxiety or depression, or losing confidence outside the home.

These signs can have many causes and are not a diagnostic checklist. A calm conversation and appropriate professional help are more useful than assumptions.

A first step might be one telephone call, a short visit, an online group, speaking to a neighbour, returning to a familiar place, or asking somebody trusted to go along.

Choose something manageable and specific. If it does not suit, that does not mean connection is impossible; another time, format or group may feel different.

Loneliness itself is not an illness, but a GP can help when it is affecting mental or physical health. Explain what has changed, how long it has lasted and how everyday life is being affected.

Some surgeries have social-prescribing link workers who connect people with community support. Availability and referral routes vary, so not every surgery offers this service.

Useful starting points include libraries, community centres, councils, faith and cultural groups, adult education, walking groups, accessible exercise, arts and crafts, men’s sheds, gardening, choirs, lunch clubs and peer-support groups.

Before attending, ask about cost, step-free access, accessible toilets, hearing support, transport, session size and whether a supporter can come too.

Befriending usually means regular contact from a trained volunteer, by telephone, online, at an activity or sometimes in person. Services may use matching, safeguarding checks and waiting lists.

A volunteer befriender offers conversation and connection. They are not a professional counsellor, emergency responder or care worker. Age limits, locations and availability differ.

Age UK’s Advice Line is free and confidential on 0800 678 1602, every day from 8am to 7pm. Age UK also provides local-service and befriending information for England.

Re-engage offers Call Companions for eligible older people. Check its current age criteria, matching process and availability directly before applying.

Inaccessible venues, sensory difficulties, fatigue, communication barriers and previous discrimination can make social contact harder. Ask about reasonable adjustments, accessible information, quieter sessions, online participation or bringing a supporter.

Options may include telephone contact, online groups, accessible community transport and home-visiting services where available. A GP or adult social-care team may know about local services, but home visits cannot be guaranteed.

Caring can reduce time, energy and opportunities for contact. Carers’ centres and peer groups may offer contact with people in similar situations. A carer can ask the local council or relevant health service about a carer’s assessment, breaks and other support.

Grief can create deep loneliness even when other people are present. It may help to speak with somebody who understands bereavement, without pressure to follow a timetable or “move on”.

Changing schools, bullying, leaving care, university, online pressure and feeling excluded can all contribute. A trusted adult, school, college or student-support service may help with the next step.

People under 19 can call Childline free on 0800 1111 or use its online counselling service.

Isolation can develop after childbirth, while caring alone, through sleep deprivation or when old routines and friendships change. A health visitor, GP, children’s or family centre, or a local parent group may provide a starting point.

Home working, unemployment, workplace exclusion, long-term sickness and retirement can remove everyday contact and routine. Possible steps include a regular check-in, a workplace group, adult learning, volunteering or a retirement group.

Work does not automatically solve loneliness. Choose contact that feels safe, sustainable and relevant rather than adding pressure.

Online contact can be valuable, especially when travel, fatigue or anxiety makes in-person activity difficult. Use established groups with clear moderation and privacy information where possible.

Never send money, banking details, passwords or identity documents to somebody met online. Be cautious about romance, friendship and investment scams, pressure to keep secrets, or requests to move immediately to private messaging.

Ask organisers about community transport, concessionary travel, accessible taxis, parking, step-free routes and help between the entrance and activity. If transport is the main barrier, explain that clearly when asking the council or organiser for options.

Look for free activities, reduced fees, travel help, council programmes, libraries and community grants. Ask about every likely cost before committing, including refreshments, materials and transport.

Listen without minimising their feelings. Offer a specific invitation, make regular contact, help check accessibility, offer to go along initially and respect a refusal.

If anxiety, depression, self-neglect, alcohol use or thoughts of suicide are worsening, encourage appropriate professional help. Use the urgent routes above when safety is at risk.

Adults can normally decide for themselves. Supporters can remain calm, offer choices, avoid arguments and keep contact open. A refusal today does not prevent another offer later.

Immediate danger or serious safeguarding concerns require urgent professional help. Call 999 if a crime is happening or somebody is in immediate danger.

Isolated people may be targeted by scammers, controlling individuals or financial abusers. Warning signs can include unexplained payments, fear around a particular person, pressure to keep secrets, or somebody controlling contact and money.

• Choose one person to contact.
• Choose one suitable activity or service.
• Check transport, accessibility needs and cost.
• Write down what to say when making contact.
• Decide who could accompany the person.
• Keep a backup option if the first attempt does not work.

Ask the local council, GP surgery, library or local Age UK whether they know of community groups, social-prescribing support or befriending. Referral and eligibility arrangements differ by area.

Use your council, NHS service and Age Scotland to ask about local community, wellbeing and older-person support. Services and referral arrangements vary between council and health-board areas.

Dewis Cymru lists wellbeing services, and the local council or health board may know about community groups and support. Age Cymru provides advice for older people. Availability differs by area.

Ask the relevant Health and Social Care Trust, council or Age NI about local support. Northern Ireland has its own health and social-care arrangements; do not rely on an England-only referral route.