Dealing with loneliness
Feeling alone? You're not the only one.
Many people experience loneliness, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. We understand how isolating and difficult this can be. But know that you don't have to face it alone. This page is here to offer support, practical tips, and connections to resources that can help you find your way back to feeling connected and valued.
Why connecting with others matters
- It's important for our mental health
- social contact helps us to cope with stress and major life changes
- knowing we are valued by others helps us to think more positively about our environment
- human contact acts as a motivation to look after our physical health
Social connection is one of the five key ways to maintain positive emotional health. There are many things you can do to deal with loneliness, this includes:
- Regular Contact: Stay connected with friends and family through frequent chats and messaging.
- Group Involvement: Join clubs or groups, either in person or online, that match your interests.
- Enjoyable Activities: Engage in hobbies and activities you love to distract from feelings of loneliness and improve your mood.
- Open Communication: Share your feelings about loneliness with others to reduce isolation.
- Reaching Out: Connect with others who might be lonely, and consider volunteering to help others.
- Shared Activities: Invite others to join you in local events and activities.
Befriending
Feeling lonely is something many people go through, especially if they don't have family or friends close by, or if they've lost loved ones. Loneliness can really affect your health.
But there's help available! Volunteers, called befrienders, can make a big difference. They can visit you at home or give you a call at a set time each week, whichever you prefer.
Find out about;
Social activities and support organisations
Positive wellbeing service
Our trained community connectors can help you live well at home and become part of your community. They work to reduce loneliness and isolation, helping you reconnect, stay active, and find purpose in your own way. We can visit you at home or arrange a phone or video appointment.
If you're feeling lonely or isolated, a community connector might help you improve your wellbeing.
Find out more about the service on the Kent County Council website.
The Silver Line
The Silver Line is a UK wide helpline and friendship service for people aged fifty five and over. It operates as a confidential, free helpline and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and all year.
They also offer telephone friendship where they match volunteers with older people based on their interests. They have facilitated group calls and help to connect people with local services in their area.
Independent Age
Independent Age is a charity that supports older people facing financial hardship. They offer free and impartial advice on various topics, including care and support, money and benefits, health, and mobility. They have telephone information groups, courses for digital skills and have a helpline where people can access information and get impartial advice.
Visit the Independent Age website
Reengage
Re-engage helps older people connect with others through social groups and friendly volunteers. This way, they can make new friends and feel less lonely. They also offer a phone befriending service, including a rainbow call companion for LGBTQI+ members.
Age UK
Age UK offers different befriending services. They have a telephone friendship service with Silverline, and face-to-face befriending where a volunteer can visit you at home for a cup of tea and a chat, or join you for an activity like going to a café.
Age UK also has helpful resources if you're feeling lonely.
Action for Elders
Action for Elders is a charity that helps improve the lives of older people, no matter their situation. They offer online activities through their Balanced Lives programs, including a YouTube channel with videos on mobility, exercises, and wellbeing.
They provide free resources like guides on using video calls and have social groups like their book club and jigsaw project.
Ability Net
AbilityNet offer free support with technology for older people and disabled people of any age. Their volunteers can come to your home, or help you on the phone. They also offer a helpline for independent advice from a technology expert.