Loneliness is a common feeling. Isolation can be caused by environment, like living in very rural areas, working in quiet offices, or by social limitations like not living near friends and family, or not having like-minded people you can reach out to and meet regularly. Loneliness can affect anyone, of any age, anywhere.
Loneliness is a huge problem for older people, who may have difficulties being able to leave their home themselves and do not have visitors throughout the week. Loneliness has been linked to ill health and wellbeing overall. It is important to have connections and to reach out when we feel lonely.
Loneliness affects more than mental wellbeing, it has been linked to increased blood pressure, obesity and overeating and smoking among other conditions. It has been found that people who feel lonely are more likely to develop depression. It has also been associated with an increased chance of developing dementia and other mind and brain-related issues.
Loneliness can be easily cured and your mental wellbeing improved by finding the right group or activity that matches your interest. You could try taking up a sport, visiting the library or join a number of local societies, groups or clubs available in the East Riding. Use the homepage search bar to find something local to you. There are community transport services available for eligible people if you need help getting around.
Browse a range of groups on the find wellbeing page. You can use the advanced search to filter options to a town near you, or get help with community transport in the East Riding by using the transport category.
Headlight Project – Find out what groups and activities are taking place in your community to support older people ran by Age UKVarious volunteer services can provide social visits and phone calls, visit the website to find out how to apply for befriending services or volunteer.
Age UK – Find out what groups and activities are taking place in your community to support older people ran by Age UKVarious volunteer services can provide social visits and phone calls, visit the website to find out how to apply for befriending services or volunteer.
You can visit a children’s centre for opportunities to socialise with other children and parents. Talk to your health visitor about improving their mental health.
With the changes going through their lives, both their environment, like school changes, or biological, like puberty, many teenagers feel isolated and lonely. Be supportive, and let them know they are not alone in feeling this way. Encourage them to improve their mental health with guidance from websites created for young people, such as Rise Above.
Help them find a group or club they have an interest in locally using your local East Riding website.
Use MECClink for advice on Loneliness and Isolation using the Ask, Assist, Act model.
We can easily feel lonely and isolated even when surrounded by people if we do not have meaningful contact with others. Try to add social contact where possible in your daily routine. Need to discuss work with someone? Chat in person rather than email or phone. Small changes like this can make a big difference to the wellbeing of the office.
For further signposting information on a wide range of topics please visit https://www.mecclink.co.uk/yorkshire-humber/