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Editor's thoughts
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Hello to everyone and welcome to our October Newsletter. I was suddenly panicked, realising that you were all waiting, with bated breath, for our next Campaign to End Loneliness Newsletter and not having a particular focus of what theme this issue should take. Often, In situations like this, if you wait and be patient, life will show you the way! Trawling through loneliness articles I had my lightbulb moment! Multiple articles were about Loneliness, technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
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Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, therefore, we have our theme for this month! It is a fascinating debate, seemingly raging around us, as to whether technology (including smart phones and social media) and AI cause or mitigate loneliness? I’m going to sit on the fence, give you a few interesting articles to read through and allow you to make up your own minds…
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In this newsletter we also have a couple of recent publications from HM Government, both of which relate to loneliness, to a larger or lesser extent.
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We’ve got some serious stuff, some useful and informative stuff, some robotic dogs and cats, even some rubber ducks for you! We hope you find this newsletter interesting…
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A couple of announcements
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HM Government has recently published these two reports that I thought you may find interesting. Whilst remaining strictly apolitical and neutral, I think we would all agree that society, community and loneliness are all wrapped up together. Often, what affects one will affect the others and so government reports that look at these issues, together or separately, will be of relevance to how we collaborate together and target loneliness across all of our communities in the UK.
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The Campaign to End Loneliness 2026 Calendar
Do you want ideas for a thoughtful Christmas present which supports a good cause too? Look no further…The Campaign to End Loneliness 2026 calendar is an ideal gift. There are useful tips each month on how to enhance your connections, alongside inspiring images, and all proceeds support the Campaign’s charitable work. Buy your copy on the link below for a bargain price of £5.50.
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What we are thinking about
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AI, technology and loneliness
Let’s start a debate! Does AI make us lonely, or is it a valuable tool to support those who are lonely? Read these articles and let us know what you think!
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What about technology? Does it help or hinder us when tackling loneliness? Have a read of these interesting articles:
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The importance and relevance of targeting loneliness
I appreciate that I’m probably preaching to the already converted here, as you’re currently reading this newsletter, but, just in case you had any doubt about the importance, necessity and cost-effectiveness of targeting loneliness within society here’s a few articles that set the scene suitably to capture the moment.
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And, after all that, something to put a smile on your face…
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Silver Sunday
On Sunday 12th October a team of us at The Campaign to End Loneliness joined forces with Age Uk Sheffield, U3A, Grandma’s Soup and had fun together cooking soup at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield. An intergenerational activity which brought young and old together. A fantastic time was had by all. Old friendships were caught up and new friendships made! Here’s some photos of a wonderful event.
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The Campaign to End Loneliness Roadshow
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We have now finalised the details of our Campaign to End Loneliness Roadshow and are pleased to announce that it will tie in to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Tackling Loneliness and Connecting Communities run by our partners Intergenerational England. Look out for an announcement of the venues and dates soon. Thanks to those who have already reached out to us and expressed interest and support for this venture around the UK. We very much look forward to seeing you all, in all different corners of the UK, as the Roadshow gets up and running soon!
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Loneliness and holistic activities
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The power of holistic activities to mitigate loneliness is becoming ever more widely acknowledged. Be it getting out in nature, exercising at the gym, gardening, cookery, visiting the allotment etc, it can be a great way of managing loneliness.
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This section highlights and showcases community/peer support initiatives that address this issue. Any submissions in this area, to be included in future newsletters, please forward to us at info@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk. Thank you.
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This month’s highlights
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Tackling men’s mental health in the Wirral - Read here
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Age UK tackling loneliness in Littlehampton - Read here
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Men’s sheds initiative in Worcester - Read here
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Appeals for volunteers
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Here’s an article discussing the power and value of volunteering;
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And a request for volunteers in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove;
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Loneliness and the arts
Here is a fantastic painting, entitled ‘The Thousand Yard Stare’, by an extremely talented artist Steve Stonestreet. Steve painted this extremely powerful portrayal of Veteran Loneliness for The Daparian Foundation a few years ago. I am proud to be the founder of the Daparian Foundation, a lived experience research Community Interest Company, which has the ethos of raising the collective voice of all marginalised and ignored communities around trauma, PTSD and suicide prevention. Loneliness is a central feature of Veteran PTSD and a significant catalyst upon the path to suicide.
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The Daparian Foundation website can be accessed here
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We are proud to be collaborating with the Campaign to End Loneliness, raising awareness of Veteran Loneliness through a planned webinar and blog coming up soon, and are planning to sell a limited series of prints of this painting; with profits going to both the Campaign to End Loneliness and Daparian Foundation, to enable both organisations to keep up their ongoing work and engagement. More details of this collaboration will be released soon on the social media channels of both organisations.
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Loneliness and the Power of Sport
Loneliness and being a Student
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Podcasts
Here’s an interesting podcast I stumbled across recently that is sure to get you debating about your opinions; The Hook Up Podcast; Is The 'Male Loneliness Epidemic' Real? listen here
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Tackling Loneliness Hub
As you know, The Campaign to End Loneliness co-leads the Tackling Loneliness Hub along with Neighbourly Lab. We’re currently preparing to deliver a series of specific webinars which are all about “Translating Research into Practice”. There will be some associated blogs too, so remember to follow the link here to register for the hub and receive reminders and invitations to these events.
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Some recent blogs and webinars are:
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‘Loneliness within the Veteran Community’ webinar – 5/11/25, delivered by Richard Gettings and Mark Humphries
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‘Loneliness; the role of Social Prescribing’ webinar – 11/11/25, delivered by Professor Chris Dayson & Sian Brand
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‘The role of Volunteering in combating loneliness’ webinar – 8/12/25, delivered by Irene Hardill, Northumbria University, and Tessa Blades, Libraries Connected
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‘Loneliness and Motherhood’ webinar – 8/1/26, delivered by Ruth Naughton-Doe & colleague
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‘Loneliness and Mental health; when does Loneliness become harmful?’ webinar – 19/2/26, co-delivered with the Salvation Army
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‘Youth Loneliness and Social Prescribing’ webinar – 12/3/26, delivered by Nathan Hughes and Kate Hamblin
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Be sure to sign up to the Tackling Loneliness Hub to access these fantastic resources!
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Providing opportunities & spaces to chat
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Age UK Norwich has launched its second 'Happy to Chat' bench, strategically located within the serene grounds of Norwich Cathedral. This initiative, aimed at combating social isolation and loneliness, has been made possible through the generous support of The People Kit and Leathes Prior. Read more here
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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 the article below:
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Loneliness Around the Globe
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A series of articles showing different experiences of loneliness around the globe and how different nations are trying to come to terms with this epidemic of loneliness;
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Artists help break the silence around France's rising scourge of loneliness - Read here
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Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg? - Read here
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Aging, not smartphones, drives US’s growing loneliness crisis - Read here
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It’s Lonely at the Middle: Loneliness in Middle Age - Read here
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Loneliness Defines Humanity: Embracing Solitude as Life's Inevitable Companion - Read here
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Photo of the month
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For me this beautiful photograph showcases the inspirational nature of the recent Silver Sunday event and exemplifies the power of engagement across communities intergenerationally. If anything will make you smile and feel warm inside this photograph will! ❤
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Let us have your photos for the November newsletter and we’ll choose one to be published. Thank you. Send photos / articles to us at info@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk. Thank you.
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On our reading list
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Dates for your diary
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Saturday 15th November, 10am to 4pm; The Doncaster Muslim Wellness Conference at the Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster.
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Building on an extremely successful inaugural Doncaster Muslim Wellness Conference in 2024 this powerful, lived experience, gathering will consist of presentations, workshop(s) and engagement centred around mental health, trauma and wellbeing. Loneliness, and its mitigation, is an integral element of the day.
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The aspiration, going forwards, is to create a safe, non-judgemental and trusted environment for all communities to come together around their shared experiences and suffering relating to these important issues. If you are a member of the Doncaster, South Yorkshire or wider-afield Muslim community, or indeed anyone wishing to engage with this momentum we are building for community cohesion, inclusion and equality, then please join us. The link for tickets is here.
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If you have dates, of local events centred around loneliness, that you would like included within this newsletter each month let us know on info@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk
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That’s it for another month!
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We hope you have enjoyed this October newsletter. Please let us know your thoughts, give us your feedback on info@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk and let’s evolve and move forward on this journey, supporting those experiencing loneliness, together.
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Until the November newsletter we bid you farewell.
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Richard & the Campaign to End Loneliness team
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