Age UK draws attention to the issue of loneliness amongst older people this Loneliness Awareness Week

Age UK is marking this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week (10^th-16^th June) by raising awareness of loneliness and isolation in later life, as well as sharing tips on how we can all help to make a difference.

Loneliness in later life is a significant issue for many, with nearly one million older people across the UK often feeling lonely[i] and recent research from Age UK highlights just how crucial this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week theme is, which is all about creating small, meaningful moments and random interactions to help each other and reduce feelings of loneliness in our day-to-day lives.

For example, the Charity found that 1.1 million of those aged over 65 say that most of the conversations they have are with strangers[ii] and almost half a million older people admit they never see or speak to anyone else[iii].

Age UK’s research also found that nearly one in ten older people visit the supermarket to have a chat with the staff or other shoppers[iv] while around 440,000[v] use public transport so they can have a conversation with other people.

Ruth Lowe, Head of Loneliness Services at Age UK, said: “There are many ways we can all help to create connections with others – whether we’re the child of an older parent, a neighbour or serving someone at a shop. This often starts with the small things, greeting someone with a warm smile, striking up a conversation or offering to lend a hand. Knowing the things to watch out for and what you might be able to do can really help too.

“For instance, significant life changes can often trigger loneliness so it’s important to keep an eye on anyone you know who may have recently experienced the death of a loved one, retired, could be facing financial difficulties, or who has been diagnosed with an illness, disability or health condition. Age UK’s Advice Line is a good place to start if you’re worried or concerned about someone you know – please call us for free on 0800 678 1602.”

There are plenty of simple and practical things we can all do to help older people who may be feeling lonely, such as:

• Simply sharing time together can be a huge boost: Check in regularly with your older relatives, friends and neighbours to see how they’re feeling. You could invite them round for a coffee or lunch. Or, if you don’t live nearby, why not drop them a phone or video call, make a homemade card, send a letter or even a small gift to show you care?
• Lend a hand: Could you offer a lift or accompany them to a local event? Age UK’s research found that around 1.5 million older people never leave their home for a social event[vi]. However, the network of local Age UKs offer a huge variety of in-person social, leisure and fitness activities as well as friendship services which each do their bit in tackling feelings of loneliness among older people in the local community. Depending on the area, these range from the likes of bingo, chess and other arts and crafts to Lego making, cookery classes, dance groups (including ballet, Zumba, line dancing and much more), Walking Football and Walking Tennis sessions, visits to cat cafes, Men in Sheds groups, gardening clubs and LGBTQ+ groups, so there could be all sorts of fun activities to get involved in right on your doorstep.
• Give out useful numbers:
  • Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service matches older people with a volunteer who shares similar interests so they can really get to know each other through weekly calls. To find out more about this service, call 0800 434 6105.
  • For practical information and advice, anyone can call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602.
  • The Silver Line Helpline, founded by Dame Esther Rantzen and now part of Age UK, is free and available 24 hours a day for any older person who would like a friendly chat. Call: 0800 4 70 80 90.
• Support Age UK: Age UK works tirelessly to ensure all older people have access to the services they need to prevent feelings of loneliness arising. However, the continuation of these services isn’t possible without support from the general public, which includes donating, fundraising and volunteering. For more information on how you can get involved, visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/.

For more information on Age UK’s loneliness services, please visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/loneliness/.  

-ENDS-

[i] Age UK analysis of Understanding Society, UK Household Longitudinal Study: Wave 13, 2022 scaled up to UK age 65+ population using Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 2021.

[ii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 9.14% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘Most of the conversations I have are with strangers ie people at the bus stop, on public transport, people I meet on the street’ which equates to 1,143,194 people (9.14% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[iii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 3.61% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I never see or speak to anyone else’ which equates to 452,514 people (3.61% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[iv] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 8.90% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I visit the supermarket to have a chat with the staff or other shoppers’ which equates to 1,114,614 people (8.90% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[v] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 3.55% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I use public transport so I can have a conversation with other people’ which equates to 442,988 people (3.55% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[vi] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 12.36% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I never leave my home for a social event’ which equates to 1,548,076 people (12.36% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

Notes to editors:

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).