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Editor's thoughts
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Welcome to you all to our September Campaign to End Loneliness newsletter. Myself and colleagues hope that you’ve all had a fantastic summer and managed to find some time for yourself in the sunshine that we experienced around the UK. We’ve had some changes to our team, see the below announcements, and we have all been so very busy building and evolving our message to inform and raise awareness about loneliness across ages and communities.
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We continue to develop the roadshow and are excited to be planning the Silver Sunday event in Sheffield also (details below). World Suicide Prevention Day was on the 10th of this month, focussing us all again on the power and necessity of what we aspire to do within the Campaign.
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In this issue there’s plenty of variety, we’ve got discussions about the Veteran community and loneliness, the subject of a future webinar that we’re planning, articles from around the UK and globally, a great interview with Chris Frederick, a new photo of the month and lots more besides.
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Recent events across the pond highlight again the vital importance of talking, of communicating, of being able to disagree agreeably and agree to disagree respectfully. Effective and respectful communication is also at the centre of so much of the inspirational ongoing work that’s showcased in this latest newsletter. We hope you enjoy this issue.
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A couple of announcements
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The Campaign to End Loneliness team are sad to announce that our CtEL co-director, Antonia Ypsilanti, has decided to step down. We all want to take this opportunity to thank you, Antonia, for all your hard work and passion for making the Campaign what it is today and raising the profile of loneliness across communities. As co-editor to this newsletter I wish to pass on my personal thanks and best wishes to Antonia; who was such an important part of my transition into academia, from my previous policing career when I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, when I was privileged to do my Psychology Masters at Sheffield Hallam University. Without Antonia’s support I would not have gained my Masters. Thank you and best wishes to you moving forwards. It is, perhaps, apt that an Interview Antonia carried out with Chris Frederick, Mental Health Jedi & Independent Voice in Black Mental Health / Suicide Prevention, is in this month’s newsletter (see below).
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We’re proud and excited to tell everyone that the Campaign to End Loneliness Director, Professor Andrea Wigfield, has accepted the role of Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC). This is an exciting new development and will enable the Campaign to make closer links to our international colleagues working on loneliness across the globe.
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The Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC) is comprised of non-profit organisations committed to ending the pressing global issues of loneliness and social isolation through awareness, research, supporting implementers of evidence-based practices, and advocating policy change. They support these organisations through the dissemination of system-wide, national approaches and global strategies to build social connection. Here’s a link to their website for further information.
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Here's that interview carried out by Antonia Ypsilanti with Chris Frederick for the Ripple Report, June 25': Special Edition - Loneliness, Stigma & Connection; link here
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What we are thinking about
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The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA); National Day of Arts in Care Homes
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With the NAPA National Day of Arts in Care Homes just around the corner, September 24th, NAPA are excited to tell everyone about the fantastic creative activities that will be taking place across the country. The link to website to find out more is here.
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NAPA have created a range of free resources, including activity ideas, templates, and guidance to help care settings, artists and community groups take part and celebrate creativity in care.
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At NAPA’s request we are helping share these resources across our CtEL networks to help increase awareness and encourage as many people as possible to get involved as NAPA work to embed the arts into everyday care and activity provision, creating equal opportunities for all. Every share helps NAPA reach more care homes, staff, families and artists who could benefit.
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You can access the resources here:
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Thank you so much for your continued support in championing the arts in care. Together, we can make this year’s National Day of Arts in Care Homes the most inclusive and inspiring yet.
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Silver Sunday
A fantastic event at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield on Sunday 12th October, between 11am-3pm, for young and old to meet, make friends and cook soup together. A collaboration between the Campaign to End Loneliness, Age UK Sheffield, U3A and Grandmas Soup.
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The Campaign to End Loneliness Roadshow
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We are still putting together the final details and logistics of what our Campaign to End Loneliness Roadshow will look like and we are excited to tell you all soon what to expect later in 2025. 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 around the UK
A series of articles for you highlighting how loneliness affects every aspect of society across the UK, and why it is so important that we work together, share experience and best practice and collaborate wherever possible;
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Loneliness and Motherhood; more details here
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Loneliness and Teens; more details here
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Loneliness and the workplace; more details here
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Loneliness and shared-living; more details here
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The cost of Loneliness; more details here
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Loneliness and leadership; more details here
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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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Salvation Army Wellbeing walks; link
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A Harrogate Chatty Café; link
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The Kindness café Project in Essex; link
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A community hub re-launched in Essex for older adults; link
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The Men’s Shed organisation; link
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Appeals for volunteers
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Appeal for support at a community farm in Somerset; link
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Appeal for support in the Scarborough area; link
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Loneliness and the arts
Mettle is an incredibly powerful World War 2 stage play portraying the life of a man from Sheffield, aboard HMS Vanessa during the Atlantic Convoys, and the trauma and realities of sacrifice. Still touring the UK, at various venues, check out the website of Nick Collett for more details here.
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Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club has just finished a stint at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and portrays relationships, trauma and loneliness in the LGBTQ+ community. More details here
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Loneliness and the Power of Football
The power of football to support loneliness. Read more; here
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An interesting and thought-provoking article about lonely pooches
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Ever thought that our nation’s favourite pet (apologies cat owners) could also experience loneliness? Read more; here
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Podcasts
‘The Psychology of the male loneliness epidemic’ – The Psychology of Your 20s podcast; released recently & available on Spotify & elsewhere. Check it out via this link
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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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The webinars, and associated blogs, will cover a variety of topics related to loneliness; for instance ‘Loneliness Amongst NEET Young People’, ‘Loneliness and Volunteers’, ‘Loneliness and Motherhood’, ‘Loneliness; the role of Social Prescribing’, ‘Loneliness and Work’ with other titles to be announced moving forwards.
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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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Loneliness for Malaysian students; more details here
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Loneliness in a hyper-connected world; more details here
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Loneliness of young men in the US; more details here
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A World Health Organisation report about global loneliness; more details here
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Social Prescribing against Loneliness in Australia; more details here
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Fighting loneliness in South Korea; more details here
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Photo of the month
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Here’s a fantastic photo for you all for our September newsletter!
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For me this photo shouts out camaraderie, friendship, loyalty, purpose and hope! This photo shows two incredible veterans, Dave and Mark, both of whom I’m very proud to call my friends and to know through my founding of the Daparian Foundation (link for website here) which was formed to raise awareness of, and research, trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) across communities through lived experience and raising the voice of those who have been ignored and marginalised.
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Loneliness is right at the heart of PTSD and is remedied through everything that is at the heart of this wonderful and powerful photo!
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In the 80th anniversary year of the ending of World War 2 this is also an appropriate time to thank our UK Armed Forces, Military and Veteran, communities for all they do for us and for all the sacrifices made to ensure the liberties, freedoms and democracy that we too often take for granted. Dave and Mark are typical of the courageous and selfless men and women, and their families, who serve Monarch, country and community and sacrifice so very much. Thank you to every one of you!
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Following the Veteran community theme here’s a link to an article on the great work of a Veteran Breakfast Club in Cyprus; more details here
I know that there’s a great number of Veteran Breakfast Clubs around the world doing so much to bring the men and women of the Veteran community together, targeting loneliness and providing hope and purpose. Send me articles and photos please and I’ll showcase what’s going on around the world supporting this inspirational community.
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Let us have your photos for the October 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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Here are some interesting and thought-provoking recent research studies centred around loneliness;
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Loneliness isn't just emotional - it's also harming your health and raising medical costs; read
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the article in earth.com here and the research study in Plos One here
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Fully Remote Work Least Popular With Gen Z; read the article in People Management here
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and the Gallup research here
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How loneliness relates to health, wellbeing, quality of life, and healthcare resource utilisation
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and costs across multiple age groups in the UK; read this recently published research from
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the University of Exeter here
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Dates for your diary
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NAPA National Day of Arts in Care Homes, September 24th; link here
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The Baton of Hope 2025 tour continues, touring the Uk until 10th October with a Finale event in London; see a map of the tour dates here.
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Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin turns 75 this year. To mark the special occasion, the charity is organising a fundraising event on Sunday, September 28th; more details here
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Silver Sunday; Hillsborough Park, Sheffield Sunday 12th October 11am-3pm (details and poster above)
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APPG on Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities update
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Unfortunately, the planned APPG meeting that was planned for earlier this month in Westminster had to be rescheduled due to the planned Tube strike across London. The new date is as follows;
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Date: Wednesday 22nd October
Yearly Theme: Loneliness Across the Life Course
Inquiry Theme: Intergenerational Connection as a Pathway to Tackle Loneliness Across Society
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Co-Chairs: Paul Davies MP and Lord Shaun Bailey
Secretariat: Intergenerational England (supported by the Campaign to End Loneliness)
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You can read the related report from Inter-Generational England 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 September 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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Enjoy the rest of your summer, if you’re going away have a fantastic time, if you’re staying at home make the best of this fantastic weather we’re currently having. Either way look after yourselves and take care. Until the September newsletter we bid you farewell.
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Richard & the Campaign to End Loneliness team
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