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Thawing frost and longer days - New opportunities for connection
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As winter draws to a close and the days begin to grow longer, we’d like to encourage a renewed sense of energy and possibility.
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The colder months can be isolating, with shorter days and unpredictable weather making it harder to stay active and connected. But as spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to shake off the winter frost and take small steps toward more social engagement and well-being.
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Whether it’s a walk in the fresh air, reconnecting with an old friend, or joining a local group, every effort to reach out can make a difference.
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Loneliness is something we all experience at times, but building and maintaining social connections—no matter how small—can have a lasting impact on our mental and physical health.
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This month’s newsletter shares some of the activities the Campaign team have been taking part in, events and projects other organisations are working on to help with feelings of loneliness, and some interesting reads and events to attend. Have a read, and hopefully you’ll find some inspiration for an activity or initiative for yourself or someone you know to continue the effort to end loneliness.
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What we are thinking about
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The Campaign to End Loneliness team recently welcomed representatives from the Royal Foundation for an insightful discussion on childhood loneliness and the lasting impact of early social experiences. Dr Antonia Ypsilanti and Dr Caron Carter discussed the importance of play and friendships in early childhood and their crucial role in shaping wellbeing later in life.
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Their presentation highlighted how loneliness in children and adolescents can have long-term consequences on mental health and social development that influences the way young people connect with themselves, others and the social environment. They emphasized the need for early interventions that foster meaningful connections, support inclusive play, and create opportunities for children to build strong, lasting friendships. The discussion with the Royal Foundation reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing loneliness and promoting positive childhood experiences for a healthier, more connected society.
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On 2nd February, one of our team, Dr Olly Hawkins, participated in a panel discussion on Mental Health and Wellbeing for screenwriters in partnership with the Film + TV Charity. The talk covered feelings of loneliness, imposter syndrome, and the importance of forming connections to help deal with these feelings whilst working as a screenwriter.
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As part of the Centre for Loneliness Studies and the Campaign to End Loneliness’ ongoing project with the Film + TV Charity, Olly shared our progress so far, and discussed the importance of reducing the stigma around talking about loneliness and mental health.
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There were lots of interesting discussions with attendees, as well as recommendations for organisations such as Scribe Lounge, which facilitates meetings and discussions for writers.
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This and other likeminded organisations go a long way to helping form meaningful connections with others, and we often try to share details of similar networks. Keep an eye out for organisations which could be relevant to your interests, and this could be a great first step to forming new meaningful connections.
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The team at the Globe Community Project are running a fundraising campaign this February, called "Feasts for Friendship", to try to raise some funding.
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The following is from the Project:
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“The idea is simple: to encourage as many people as possible to host a “Feast” for their friends (which could be anything from a dinner to coffee and cake), and in return to invite the guests to donate to the charity. We’re aiming to raise £4,000; if together we achieved that then GCP would be able to offer a whole year of support to 20 recently arrived refugee women.”
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This and other projects like this highlight the importance of providing a space to form connections for isolated people and underserved groups, to build communities and improve wellbeing.
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You can find more information about the project below.
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One of our co-directors, Dr Antonia Ypsilanti, is part of a team currently looking for a PhD student on a project titled “The Neural Basis of Loneliness and Belongingness”.
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You can read the full post for the position below, but this extract provides some detail:
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“Experiencing long-term loneliness can cause not only physical and mental health issues but also lower education and employability rates. This project aims to take a broad approach to understanding loneliness and will explore how people feel and think about loneliness and belongingness, while also studying brain differences in those who experience loneliness compared to those who do not. This is a multidisciplinary, mixed methods project, which aims to understand the neural and subjective experiences of loneliness and belongingness in young people (aged 18-25).”
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Sunday 9 March 2025 is the Day of Reflection across the UK for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It is an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented time.
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From the organiser’s website:
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“By continuing to hold a Day of Reflection, in line with previous years, we hope to offer communities across the country the opportunity to join together in reflection and commemoration for those who lost their lives and for everyone impacted by the pandemic in whichever way they wish.
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On the day itself and in the week before, the public will be able to mark the day in ways that feel most appropriate and fitting to them, both in person and online.”
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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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At a recent World Health Organization (WHO) executive board meeting, member states highlighted the growing concern of social isolation and its detrimental effects on mental health. They urged the WHO to develop comprehensive guidance to address loneliness and incorporate strategies into the organisation's Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan.
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The article makes reference to The WHO Director-General’s report on mental health and social connection which you can find below.
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On our reading list
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This article highlights how parental “phubbing” (ignoring someone whilst using a technological device) can contribute to adolescent loneliness, and also materialism.
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You can read the full article below.
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This article critiques the glamorisation of introversion and isolation in contemporary wellness culture, highlighting how social media trends often celebrate solitude as a form of self-care.
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The article warns that excessive isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and neglect the human need for genuine social connections. It emphasises the importance of balancing personal time with meaningful interactions to maintain overall well-being.
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You can read the full article below.
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This systematic review synthesises longitudinal studies investigating loneliness and social isolation, specifically in widowhood.
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The article suggests that whilst widows might be uniquely affected by loneliness, the findings of the review are inconsistent, and more work, especially around social isolation, needs to be done.
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You can read the full article below.
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Dates for your diary
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19th February - Production Theatre, Norwich University of the Arts – 1–1:45pm
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This in-person talk forms part of the Norwich Science Festival, and discusses the forming of human connections.
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“Join Psychologist Ceyda Kiyak and Cognitive Neuroscientist Dr Sara Bengtsson for a thought-provoking talk on the psychology of loneliness and the science of human connections.
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Explore the cognitive and emotional consequences of social isolation as we delve into the effect that loneliness can have on the brain, mind, and behaviour.
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Packed with valuable insights and practical knowledge, discover how modern research, including the use of virtual reality, could be the key to helping us better understand this complex human experience.
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Student Support Officers from Norwich University of the Arts will be on hand for this talk, to provide support to students if needed.
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Tickets £8. Free for Norwich University of the Arts and University of East Anglia students. Ages 18+ only”
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26th February – Age UK Sheffield (197 Eyre Street) – 11:30am–14:00pm
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Age UK Sheffield and The Campaign to End Loneliness will be collaborating to host an event centred on a radio play that promotes intergenerational friendship as a way of addressing social isolation.
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“From 11:30 am-2:00 pm on Wednesday, 26th February, the radio play will be broadcast in three parts, with breaks for refreshments and light lunch, at Age UK Sheffield, 197 Eyre Street, S1 3FG, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Building. Following the broadcast, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the themes explored in the play with Henry Dawe, Andrea Wigfield, Antonia Ypsilanti from Sheffield Hallam University, The Centre for Loneliness Studies, and Teresa Barker, CEO of Age UK Sheffield.
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The event is free to attend, but donations to Age UK Sheffield would be greatly appreciated. For any questions, please contact 0114 250 2850.”
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