A network of national, regional and local organisations and people working together through community action, good practice, research and policy to ensure that loneliness is acted upon as a public health priority at national and local levels.
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
A Practical Guide to Identifying and Talking about Loneliness:
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/CEL-Missing-Millions-Guide_final.pdf
Provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
https://www.mind.org.uk/
Twitter: @MindCharity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdforbettermentalhealth
Age UK runs local services, campaigns for more support from Government and connects older people groups. They offer befriending services and Friendship Centres for older people.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/loneliness/
Their goal is to make a difference to the lives of Londoners by connecting people who need help with those who are willing to give and they are dedicated to improving the lives of London’s most disadvantaged. They support a range of charities and community groups across London, specialising in funding smaller organisations that do not attract mass public support.
http://www.londoncf.org.uk/
Twitter: @London_cf
National charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people. Supported by a network of volunteers, they organise monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people aged 75 and over, who live alone, offering a regular and vital friendship link every month. They currently have over 670 groups across England, Scotland and Wales. If you would like to try a tea party, know someone who would might benefit or would like to volunteer:
http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/
Tel: 0800716543
Twitter: @contact_teas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contactteas/
The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness has been set up to work to address the impact loneliness has on so many different sections of society. It will focus on the positive action we can all take to recognise it, build connections and help ourselves and others. The Commission aims to highlight the problem and to get people talking at all levels - whether chatting to a neighbour, visiting an old friend, or just making time for the people they meet. The Commission also aims to target businesses and employer organisations and look at what action local and national Government can take to combat loneliness.
https://www.jocoxloneliness.org/
Twitter: @JoCoxLoneliness
The British Red Cross support thousands of people every year who are suffering the damaging effects of loneliness and social isolation. They are looking for people willing to spend a little time helping lonely or isolated people in their local area.
http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Loneliness-and-isolation
http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Loneliness-and-isolation/Volunteer
SANE is a UK-wide charity working to improve quality of life for people affected by mental illness. SANE offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health problems through our helpline and email services and our online Support Forum where people share their feelings and experiences.
http://www.sane.org.uk/home
Twitter: @CharitySANE
Helpline: Available on 0300 304 7000 from 4:30pm - 10:30pm every evening
Support Forum: Available 24 hours a day to share experiences with other members and give/receive mutual support
http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum/
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
http://www.samaritans.org/
Tel: 116123
Twitter: @samaritans
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independent organisation working to inspire social change through research, policy and practice. Their vision is for a prosperous UK without poverty, where everyone can thrive and contribute. They work with private, public and voluntary sectors, individuals and communities to inspire debate and action, and to develop solutions.
https://www.jrf.org.uk/
Twitter: @jrf_uk
They provide a set of resources to help individuals, groups, communities and neighbourhoods take a closer look at, and reduce, loneliness.
Get it here: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/loneliness-resource-pack
Share & Care was established to address a growing need to provide elderly people with low-cost companionship and practical help, by offering homeshares to the elderly and disabled across London and throughout the UK. A homeshare involves bringing together two people with different sets of needs, both of whom have something to offer each other:
The Homeowner has a home they are willing to share and are at the stage of life where they will benefit from receiving a level of practical help around their home as well as the reassurance [for them and their relatives] of having someone living with them.
The Sharer benefits from affordable accommodation and is willing to give practical support – such as cooking, shopping, light cleaning, laundry, DIY, gardening, computer assistance – and friendly companionship in exchange for somewhere to live.
http://www.shareandcare.co.uk/
Tel: 02038653398 or 02084056316
Mobile [For TEXT messages only]: 07477102444
E-mail: info@shareandcare.co.uk
Reconnections is a new service to reduce loneliness and social isolation in Worcestershire, run by Age UK. They work with people to understand their individual needs and interests, in order to turn their life (and health) around on a meaningful, long term basis.
http://www.reconnectionsservice.org.uk/
Tel: 01905 740954
An organisation that believes that people with mental health issues have the right and the abilities to lead independent, fulfilling lives as part of their communities. They offer a wide variety of support to help people deal with the personal and practical impacts of mental health issues with services ranging from one-to-one support in the community to supported accommodation and making sure people understand and are able to express their needs in their dealings with official bodies.
http://www.together-uk.org/
Twitter: @TogetherMW
The Furzedown Project is an activity centre for older people located in the community of Furzedown, in the borough of Wandsworth. They aim to prevent social isolation among older people and help to improve the health, well-being and independence of their members
http://www.furzedownproject.org/
Twitter: @FurzedwnProject
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FurzedownProject/
The Cares Family is a group of local community networks of young professionals and older neighbours hanging out and helping one another in our rapidly changing cities. They acknowledge that while our big cities are amazing, they can also be anonymous, lonely and isolating. The Cares Family was founded in 2011. They believe their model is important because it targets the two groups most at risk of loneliness – and because it works.
Aiming to inspire and support the development of as many Men’s Sheds as possible, for the benefit of men’s health and wellbeing. Places to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. Whatever the activity, the essence of a Shed is not a building, but the connections and relationships between its members. As a by-product of all of that they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain independent, they rebuild communities and in many cases, they save men’s lives.
Tel: 0300 772 9626
Twitter: @UKMensSheds
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKMensSheds
Helpful guide for ex-servicepersons making the transition back to the civilian world, or who need help later in life, covering issues such as housing, jobs and training, mental health, finances, pensions and disabilities.
Helpful guide outlining support available for people of pension age in the UK, detailing resources for help with finances, medical and lifestyle discounts, fuel and heating benefits and much more, alongside links to a number of related organisations.
Tips from the NHS on ways to cope with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as links to other relevant resources.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coping-loneliness-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
The Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) is a community project in Birmingham that aims to help people who are 50+ beat loneliness and isolation. The goal of the NNS is to develop and support activities for older adults so that all over 50s have activities on their doorstep which help them connect to their communities and lead independent, happy and healthy lives.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/birmingham/our-services/edgbaston-nns/
Omega help to keep people connected and living well in later life, particularly those over the age of 75 with life-limiting illness, those who are caregivers, those nearing the end of life, and those who are bereaved. They prioritise the most socially isolated people and aim to tackle social isolation and improve overall wellbeing through fully safeguarded befriending and support programmes that foster feelings of inclusion, build resilience and self-confidence, as well as offer peer support and access to activities, essential information and services.
The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) run a wide range of clubs, groups and events in local communities, many of them staffed by volunteers. They’re great places to meet old friends, make new ones, refresh existing skills or try something new. Their social activities are available online and in person depending on where you live.
https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/social-activities/
University of the Third Age is a UK-wide movement of locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together. Membership costs less than £20 on average per year and is open to everyone who’s no longer in full-time work.
Lessons from the community and voluntary sector on how community action can tackle loneliness and social isolation. Sharing insights aligned with the belief that preventing loneliness has the potential to strengthen communities and improve lives.
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/insights/loneliness-and-social-isolation
How to deal with loneliness: 11 key coping strategies. Information page on some of the causes of loneliness, particularly in the context of the changing world of work due to the pandemic, with some suggested actions on how to cope.
https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-loneliness#