Loneliness and Social Isolation

Loneliness and social isolation can affect us all at some point in our lives.

Being alone and feeling lonely are different things. Most of us are more likely to feel lonely when we don’t have many people around us, but sometimes you can feel lonely when you are surrounded by people. There are lots of reasons that you might find yourself alone.

These are just a few:

• Moving to a new area
• Being a single parent or a carer
• A relationship ending
• Your children leaving home
• Retiring
• Having a physical or mental health problem that stops you doing things you used to do with people.

It can be hard to reach out and meet new people. Especially if the reason you are alone is because something difficult has happened to you, such as someone close to you dying. Trying to find the energy and courage to make new friends when you are struggling emotionally can feel like climbing a mountain.

Luckily there are lots of people, groups and organisations out there who can help. It might be trying an exercise group, starting a short course, doing some voluntary work, or just asking that person you like at work if they’d like to go for a coffee.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, start with places and activities which feel more comfortable. Talk to your GP practice about a social prescribing referral. Social prescribing connects people to activities, groups and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that can affect your health and wellbeing.

If you find you still feel lonely when you are with other people, ask yourself how much you feel able to just be you with those people. Maybe they are quite different to you, and you don’t have much in common, or maybe you feel like you need to put on a ‘mask’ when you are with other people because you don’t feel like it would be okay to just be yourself? If loneliness is affecting your mental health Get Help here or visit your doctor.

Organisations that can help:

• NottsHelpYourself has lots of information about different opportunities in Nottinghamshire
• Ask Lion ASKLiON | Ask Lion – Nottingham City Directory
• Community and Voluntary Services across the city and county can help you if you would like to try volunteering:

https://www.ashfieldvoluntaryaction.org.uk/

https://www.bcvs.org.uk/

https://www.mansfieldcvs.org/

https://www.nandscvs.org/

https://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/

https://rushcliffecvs.org.uk/

• There is a Big Green Book of nature-based activities locally
• Do It can help you if you would like to volunteer
• Meet up is a website where you can people with the same interests
• The Tackling Loneliness Collaborative (TLC) Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have information on social connections and loneliness
• Notts Guided Walks offer group walks locally for people of different ability levels
• Nottingham College, offer some short, part time courses for adults which are free for people with a low income or on most types of benefit
• Children’s Centres, or Family Hubs, offer activity groups for parents
• Inspire libraries and learning
• U3A offers opportunities for people who aren’t in work anymore to come together and learn for fun
• Age UK offer a befriending service and social activities:
• Side by Side, run by MIND, is an online peer support community for people to support each other with their mental health:

Groups and events at your local library

Libraries across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have lots of free and low-cost groups which can help you to connect with others and support your mental health. For example:

• Places of Welcome: now at 20 libraries across the county, a network of community venues where anyone can go to find a friendly face for a cup of tea and a chat.
• Regular events in libraries: the perfect place to meet new people and relax in a friendly space. Free or low cost to attend and cover events for under-fives, children, and adults. Fina a library event at your local Nottingham City Library or Inspire Nottinghamshire County Library.