Loneliness Awareness Week - "Meeting Loneliness Together"

Right at Home Loughton, Redbridge & Waltham Forest want to highlight an important issue that many of us deal with. This year's theme for Loneliness Awareness Week is "Meeting Loneliness Together", the message behind this is to reduce the stigma around loneliness and accept that it is a natural human emotion which we can all work together to overcome.

What is Loneliness?

Loneliness is the feeling of distress or discomfort from having a lack of social connection. Everyone has different experiences with loneliness.

What Can Cause Loneliness?

• Moving away from home
• Starting a new job or university
• Someone you like talking to not being available
• Mental health problems
• A break-up
• Retirement

Some Tips on Dealing with Loneliness

1) Keep in touch with people - Regular chats with friends and family can help. Try to do this regularly, even if it is just messaging an old friend and catching up.

2) Join a group - Being a part of a group or club is a great way to meet new people. Try to look for groups you can either join online or in person. Examples: Knitting club, running club, book club, gym.

3) Do things you enjoy - Find time for the simple things you enjoy such as going on a walk, exercising, sports, reading, art or gaming. Anything that boosts your mood and makes you feel good.

4) Share your feelings - Talk about how you feel and how loneliness affect you. You never know who else is going through the same thing and opening up helps people understand you more.

Loneliness Awareness Week - 3 Step Approach to Feeling Less Lonely

Acknowledge - Acknowledge when you feel lonely and don't feel embarrassed, it's a normal human emotion. Most of us will experience loneliness at some point in our lives and the more we talk about it the more we can normalise it and speak about it openly.

Identify - Reach out and tell someone. Can you talk to a family member or a friend? Or is there someone at work or in your community that you can reach out to? Anyone you feel comfortable with, reach out to. They might be able to relate or help you.

Action - Build up your daily community. Now, everyone spends so much time on their phones scrolling or watching videos and not connecting with people. Think of ways you can have connections such as saying hello to your neighbours when you see them or try and meet up with people in real life to interact rather than over the phone (if you can).

Local Resources and Support

• Loughton Library - Seated Exercise
• Lunch Clubs - https://adultcare.redbridge.gov.uk/lunch-clubs-and-day-centres/
• Companionship and Support services - https://www.rightathome.co.uk/loughton/the-services-we-offer/companionship-support/

How Right at Home Loughton, Redbridge & Waltham Forest Can Help

If you're concerned that loneliness is affecting you or a loved one, we're here to help. Our care services are designed to support independence while providing the companionship and assistance needed to live well at home.