Loneliness Awareness Week – The NEN

Funding boost for organisations bringing people together

TACKLING LONELINESS

Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027.

A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents.

This includes the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust providing arts and crafts to patients and their loved ones, Down’s Syndrome Scotland to support their social activities, such as last week’s summer prom for children and families, and the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh to host gatherings for older people and carers.

Other local beneficiaries of the funding iinclude Pilton Community Health Project, Edinburgh Tool Library, Pilmeny Development Project and Leith’s Living Memories Association.

Marking the end of Loneliness Awareness Week, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: “Loneliness can affect anyone and the cost-of-living crisis has increased isolation for many, including young people, carers and disabled people. Our funding will allow organisations to extend their projects, keeping people connected during this challenging time.

“I thank the organisations who are providing this vital support to people across Scotland, ensuring that people feel warmth and connection in their communities and can access important support networks.”

Launched in August 2023, funding through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will culminate in March 2027 with over £3.8 million having been invested and at least 20,000 people supported.

Grampian Hospitals Art Trust Art and social activities for people in NHS settings

Grampian Society for the Blind, operating as North East Sensory Services (NESS) Social groups and activities for people with a visual impairment

Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network Health, wellbeing and social activities for older people

Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO Befriending and social activities for older people, people with dementia

Helensburgh Lunch Club Lunch club for older people

North Argyll Carers Centre Social activities indoors/outdoors for unpaid carers (young and older). Intergenerational elements

Parent to Parent Ltd Peer social support groups for parents

Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise Walking football for older people

Contact Point in East Dunbartonshire SCIO Social club and café for older people, disabled people and those with long term health conditions

Carers Link East Dunbartonshire Café and social outings for carers

Home-Start East Lothian Volunteer befriending for isolated families

Our Community Kitchen Lunches and activities for older people, disabled people and those with mental health conditions

Stepping Out Range of indoor and outdoor activities for people with mental health conditions

Big Hearts Community Trust Social gatherings and activities for older people and carers. Volunteering.

Edinburgh Tool Library Group build project and volunteering for people from the LGBT+ community

Pilmeny Development Project Creative arts, health and wellbeing activities and refreshments for older people

Pilton Community Health Project Social indoor and outdoor activities for men and women

Care for Carers Small group breaks for unpaid carers

The Living Memory Association Range of group activities for health and wellbeing for older people

Denny Community Support Group Range of indoor and outdoor social and group activities for older, younger, families, recovery.

Freedom Of Mind Community Choir Choir singing

Abbey Church of Dunfermline Creative arts for people with dementia

Fife Society for the Blind aka Seescape Befriending, group sessions and drop ins for people with a visual impairment

The Linda Tremble Foundation (trading as SupportED) 1:1 befriending and support groups for people with eating disorders

Easthall Residents Association Men, women and single mothers (3 groups) – a range of indoor and outdoor activities

Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC Craft and chat for women (BAME, refugee, asylum)

Maryhill Integration Network Choir for women of all backgrounds

The Urban Roots Initiative Lunch club for older people

The Well Multi-Cultural Resource Centre 1:1 support, toddler parent groups, ESOL, lunches and activities for women and children

Woodlands Community Development Trust Community café, activities, information, cooking for all age groups

Glasgow Association for Mental Health Wellbeing and social activities for young people aged 16-25 with mental health conditions

Glasgow Disability Alliance Digital connections for disabled people

Home-Start Glasgow South Community club for parents/carers with young families

British Deaf Association Providing information and support to the deaf community, online and in person

Project Ability Creative arts for disabled people

Down’s Syndrome Scotland Social face to face activities for people with Downs Syndrome

The National Autistic Society Online and face to face group sessions for people with autism

ENABLE Scotland Community based (indoor and outdoor) activities for people with a learning disability

Good Morning Project Limited (known as Good Morning Service) Telephone befriending for older people

Caithness Voluntary Group Befriending; mens group for older, disabled adults

Inverness Foodstuff Social lunches for homeless and other vulnerable people

Merkinch Partnership Ltd Developing a working group with lived experience to support others affected by SIAL

Scottish Men’s Sheds Association Develop and support Mens Sheds across the Highlands and Islands

Inverkip Community Initiative Community resource for a range of groups; access to chat, tea/coffee, internet, jobs information and signposting

Tagsa Uibhist Training, community walks and community social events for older people affected by dementia.

Cunninghame MS Drop-In Centre Social lunches, activities and trips for people with MS

Beith Community Development Trust Telephone befriending and social get togethers for older people

Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health (LAMH) Wellbeing activity classes for people with mental health conditions and older people, disabled people.

Sanday Afternoon Club Community meals, activities and outings for older people

Letham4All SCIO Community groups and activities for older people, parents with young children, young people

Lochside Neighbourhood Group Social meals and activities/info for older people with low income

Forth Community Resource Centre Steering Group Activity cafés for older people, living on own, carers.

Age Scotland: Feeling Lonely?

NEW GUIDE LAUNCHED AHEAD OF LONELINESS AWARENESS WEEK

Ahead of #LonelinessAwarenessWeek, we’re launching a brand new loneliness guide resource, explaining some of the common causes of loneliness and providing practical advice about building more, and more fulfilling, social connection.

Get your copy today:

GEN10_Feeling_Lonely_Jun_2025_original Download

Covid lockdown created a loneliness epidemic and it still exists – here’s six ways to help a sufferer

LONELINESS AWARENESS WEEK 10 – 16 JUNE 2024

A NEW campaign to raise awareness of loneliness will be launched this week. The theme for “Loneliness Awareness Week” – which runs from June 10 to June 16 – is Random Acts of Connection.

It aims to encourage people all over the country to take a moment to do something unexpected and help a person who may be suffering from loneliness.

Counsellor Lynn Crilly is an expert in this area and supports people experiencing loneliness. She says covid lockdowns created an epidemic of loneliness which the country urgently needs to tackle.

Lynn said: “Lockdown exacerbated loneliness and social isolation. Being forced to work from home, unable to meet with friends or go for a drink went against our nature as social creatures. But despite lockdown being a distant, if horrific memory, there are still a huge number of people in the UK today who say they are lonely.

According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, in 2022 there were 49% (25.99 million) people who reported feeling lonely at some point and of those, 7.1% – or 3.83 million people experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely ‘often or always’. This has risen since 2020, indicating the impact of lockdown and the change it had on our society on our social interactions and emotional wellbeing.

Lynn added: “Loneliness can often be tied up with other problems like depression or grief, which can cause people to withdraw from friendships, activities or social occasions. But it can also be due to socioeconomic factors like money worries or a change in circumstances such as moving for a job or a divorce.

“It can be hard to tell if someone is lonely. Sometimes they aren’t even aware of themselves. Just because someone enjoys their own company doesn’t mean they are lonely, and conversely, someone who works in a busy office and is surrounded by people may be. Feeling lonely is not necessarily the same as being alone, but someone who is isolated is more likely to experience loneliness.”

If you know someone who might be lonely, the best thing you can do is let them know that you are there for them. There is a stigma attached to loneliness and isolation, particularly in younger people, so don’t just try once and give up if they don’t engage. It could take time for someone to trust you or want to talk about how they are feeling.

Ask if you can help. Often people who are lonely may be so because of their age or because they have become less independent. In an ageing population, this is going to become more prevalent. If you are worried about someone, invite them out or suggest a local charity who could help. Sometimes someone who is older or lives with a chronic health condition may only see carers or health visitors day to day. Even someone driving them to go shopping or for lunch can reduce that isolation.

Join a club or group together. Approach it from a, ‘I’ve always wanted to try x, fancy giving it a go?’ so it doesn’t seem like you are being patronising or pitying. Don’t push people into doing things but if someone seems interested in an activity, you could make it something you do together.

Be reliable. For someone who is isolated or feeling lonely, that promised phone call which gets forgotten can become magnified in the life of someone who might not speak to anyone else for the rest of the day. If you are busy, see if someone else can check in on that person and let them know you will be in touch soon.

Ask how they are feeling. Loneliness is often linked to other health conditions so by talking to someone about how they are feeling, without making it about a specific issue, you may be able to help someone open up and address what could be at the cause, particularly if it’s a recent behavioural change. If someone has a low mood which doesn’t lift, it could be worth asking a charity like Mind or Samaritans for advice.

Make efforts to include them into social activities. We often think of loneliness as something which affects older people but according to the ONS, people aged 16-29 are more than twice as likely to report feeling lonely often or always than those over 70, with those 30-49 close behind. Social media and dependence on technology may also contribute to this with people who grew up swiping on screens interacting more with devices than people. With pubs and restaurants closing down and the impact of lockdown on mental health and what has become the ‘new normal’, the socialising of previous generations has been replaced by on screen interactions which our animal brains don’t treat as the same as meeting people in person.

Loneliness Awareness Week: Expert shares tips to help those experiencing loneliness

Loneliness Awareness Week (12 – 18 June) is an initiative by the Marmalade Trust, which aims to raise awareness of loneliness across the UK and beyond.

According to research, 85% of UK adults have experienced loneliness within the last 12 months.[1]

To mark this important week, the experts at leading online training provider High Speed Training have shared some tips on how to identify the problem and help someone experiencing loneliness.

Loneliness refers to the state of being alone or the perception of being alone and isolated. This can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health.

Ellie Collier, Health and Social Care Learning and Development Manager, at High Speed Training said: “Loneliness has many different causes that vary from person to person. For some people, it may be a life event that has made them feel lonely, whilst others may feel lonely at certain times of the year. It is important to note that feelings of loneliness can change over time and depending on the circumstances.”

Some common causes of loneliness include:

Ill Health
Changing job, school or working from home
Living alone
Family or relationship issues
Issues around self-esteem
Mental health issues
Age – older people can be at particular risk of loneliness
Bereavement
Discrimination

Loneliness can lead to a myriad of health problems, especially if it is undetected. Problems can include depression, a loss of appetite, insomnia or the development of unhealthy habits.

What are the Symptoms of Loneliness?

Some feelings you might have when lonely include feeling like nobody needs or wants you and feeling like you don’t have any meaningful relationships. Other symptoms of loneliness include:

Feeling tired or lacking energy
Feeling tired or lacking energy.
Increased stress levels.
Feelings of anxiety or restlessness.
Spending a lot of time on social media.
Gaining weight or experiencing a decrease in appetite.
Feeling run down or experiencing frequent illness.
An inability to focus.
Insomnia or interrupted sleep.
Feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness or worthlessness.

Ellie continued: “Everyone feels lonely at some point in their life. While this doesn’t make the feelings any better, it is reassuring to know that others feel the same and are experiencing similar things. There are lots of things that you can do to help someone who is experiencing loneliness.

“Reach out. Simply being there for them, and letting them know you are there and that you care, can be very helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they’re feeling – having someone willing to listen can be a great comfort.

“You could try offering to attend a new club or try volunteering with them. These are great ways to meet new people while pursuing a hobby or helping a cause you believe in. Often charities and local organisations are in need of more volunteers, and it can lead to feelings of gratitude and provide a sense of real purpose knowing you’re helping others.”

“It’s important to be patient: when someone is lonely, particularly if their loneliness is associated with poor mental or physical health, they may be irritable or feel misunderstood. Patience and gentle reassurance can go a long way in helping them and showing you care.”

For more information on how to help someone with loneliness, please visit the High Speed Training Hub.

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek

Loneliness Awareness Week 2023: HEROES WANTED!

LOCAL CHARITY TACKLING LONELINESS ONE FRIENDSHIP AT A TIME

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking Loneliness Awareness Week (12-18^th June) by encouraging Edinburgh locals to join them to become volunteer heroes, offering companionship to older people (VIPs) with like-minded interests, to tackle the loneliness crisis in the city.

The award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as the loneliest city in the UK for older people.

A statistic only exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, with a 2022 Age UK study showing that 1 in 3 older people felt more anxious than before covid and less motivated to do the things they enjoy.

Now in its 8th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 900 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking to music, and even, like VIP David and volunteer Emily, gaming. Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Vintage Vibes volunteer, Alyssa Kuranowicz said: “I’ve had so much fun since becoming a volunteer with Vintage Vibes.

“I was introduced to a lovely lady called Betty based on our shared love of coffee and connecting with people. On top of our weekly coffee shop visits, Betty and I have also enjoyed going for milkshakes, attending concerts, going for beach walks, and attending events hosted by Vintage Vibes.

“Our connection has made a real difference to Betty’s well-being and quality of life and has also given me a great new friend and a lot of shared good times”.

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life.

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “We’re delighted with the impact Vintage Vibes is making to the lives of older people and due to increasing demand, we’re seeking to expand our team of amazing volunteers.

“We’re looking for adults of all ages who can spare at least one hour each week, for a minimum of six months, to help an older person in need of friendship.

“During the pandemic, we all faced the kind of isolation many older people in the city suffer daily. Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without our wonderful community of Vintage Vibes volunteers.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes please email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.