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Our May update
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In this edition, we continue our exploration of the evidence, experiences and interventions shaping our understanding of loneliness and social connection. We aim to bring together insights from current research, practice-based learning, and community-led approaches that contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this area.
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This issue includes updates on recent findings, examples of initiatives, and reflections on the wider social and policy contexts influencing connection and isolation. Whether you're involved in research, service delivery or policy, we hope these perspectives support your work and prompt further discussion.
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What we are thinking about
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Antonia Ypsilanti, Co-Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, served on the organising committee for the interdisciplinary workshop titled “Loneliness: When and How Does It Become Harmful?” held from 12–16 May 2025 at the Lorentz Center in Leiden, The Netherlands.
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The event convened over 30 experts across the world from diverse fields including psychology, sociology, education, and history, alongside practitioners, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience of loneliness.
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The workshop aimed to deepen understanding on when and for whom loneliness (mostly) serves its adaptive function and when and for whom loneliness becomes harmful, seriously impacting health and wellbeing. Participants collaborated to develop a new framework for conceptualising, identifying, measuring, and addressing chronic/harmful loneliness. This framework is expected to inform future practices across individual, community, and policy levels, and will be published in the coming months.
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The event was part of the NIAS-Lorentz Program, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
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Apples & Honey Nightingale Intergenerational Education and Training have put together a blog post for us to explain how intergenerational education can be useful in tackling loneliness.
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You can find the blog post in the link below, and they’ve also shared with us some details about upcoming courses for those interested:
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- Level 3 Diploma in Intergenerational Care and Education – Enrolling now for September 2025
- Introduction to IG Practice – Regular full day online sessions - Upcoming dates: 3 July 2025, 11 September 2025
- Introduction to Observing Intergenerational Experiences - Full day at Nightingale House SW12 8NB - 12 June 2025
- Become Intergenerational - Immersive 4 day intergenerational experience at Nightingale House, London. 28-31 July 2025
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Have a read of the blog post, and read more on the upcoming courses in the link above.
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We were recently contacted by the team at Bedfordshire Council, who reminded us of just how useful programmes that offer concessionary bus passes can be in enabling those less mobile to meet and socialise with others, when factors such as cost and/or access to transport represent barriers.
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The above link will take you to a really helpful document from Bedfordshire Council, and the link below will take you to an example of concessionary services provided by a national transport provider. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, or which services these apply to, contact your local council for more information.
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Gaining access to the wider community, and even having the opportunity to have a quick chat with fellow travellers can be an effective way to form connections and helping with feelings of loneliness.
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Joining in with social activities such as those in the article featured below can be a great way to connect with members of the community.
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Providing opportunities for connection is a vital way to help combat loneliness, and initiatives such as these serve as an inspiring reminder of how simple approaches such as providing a space to socialise and play games together can be highly effective.
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Tips to help with loneliness
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Find our latest collection of tips to help manage feelings of loneliness in our blog post on the link below.
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Loneliness Around the Globe
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The WHO new scale for ageism doesn't measure loneliness but is related to loneliness and can be used by organisations working with different age groups (e.g., befriending services, intergenerational activities).
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There is a link to the presentation they delivered to launch the tool below. It's freely available on their website translated in many different languages.
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On our reading list
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We have a collection of interesting articles we’ve found this month on the subject of loneliness. Some academic journals articles might not be available in full, but the abstract will give a good overview of the paper for everyone.
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This study used network analysis in a large adult sample to explore how specific aspects of loneliness, rumination, and depression interact. Findings suggest that rather than a general link between loneliness and depression, it is the tendency to ruminate on feelings of loneliness that plays a central role, highlighting a potential target for intervention.
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Read the full article below.
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This article from The Conversation highlights that reading can be a powerful tool to combat loneliness and enhance brain health. Engaging with books offers mental stimulation, emotional comfort, and a sense of connection, providing benefits that surpass those offered by AI chatbots.
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You can read the full article below.
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This study explores how digital nomads experience and manage loneliness, revealing that while their lifestyle can lead to social isolation, it does not inherently do so. Through 30 interviews, the research shows that digital nomads use various social media platforms to actively construct personal networks and combat loneliness, highlighting the role of both external factors and individual agency in shaping social connections.
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You can read more below.
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The article from The Independent, featuring an interview from co-director Andrea Wigfield, discusses how both run clubs and pubs serve as vital social spaces that help combat loneliness by fostering a sense of community and belonging. Rather than viewing them as opposing choices, the piece suggests embracing both as complementary avenues for meaningful human connection.
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Dates for your diary
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Event: Loneliness Awareness Week
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More information: Check out the Campaign to End Loneliness social media pages to see what we’re up to!
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Event: Campaign to End Loneliness Annual Conference
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Place: Sheffield Hallam University, Venue TBC.
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