Loneliness and social isolation are connected, but they are not the same thing.
Loneliness is about the quality of our relationships. It is the feeling that our connections fall short of what we want or need. Social isolation is about quantity: how often we interact with other people and how many social contacts we have. Someone can know lots of people and still feel lonely. Someone else can have only a few social contacts and feel content.
Researchers from several universities, including Bristol and Oxford*, examined information from around 500,000 people in the UK Biobank. They found evidence that loneliness and social isolation are linked to poorer mental health and lower wellbeing. Loneliness was also linked with poorer general health.
A 2023 advisory from the US Surgeon General reported that lacking social connection can increase the risk of premature death by as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. This comparison is about levels of risk. It does not mean loneliness affects the body in the same way as smoking.
Loneliness can affect people in different ways. For some people it may come and go, while for others it can last much longer. However it feels, loneliness is more than something to simply brush aside. It can have a real impact on both our mental and physical wellbeing.
Spending time with people who have had similar experiences can help us feel understood. Many people say it reminds them they are not the only one facing difficult circumstances.
Friendly conversation is valuable and often where friendships begin. But for many people, meaningful connection goes a step further.
It can mean feeling able to be yourself without worrying about being judged. You do not have to hide your personality, your struggles or the things that make you who you are. Experiences of connection will look different for everyone, but feeling accepted can have a lasting impact on our wellbeing.
When someone tells us they are lonely, our instinct may be to try to solve the problem. We might suggest joining a club, taking up a hobby or getting out of the house. These ideas can help, but they are not the answer for everyone. Sometimes what a person needs first is to feel heard. Being able to speak honestly without fear of shame or judgement can make a real difference.
One person who attended a Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group after the loss of her sister described finding comfort in hearing others speak openly about their own struggles and the hope they had found in God. Knowing she was not the only person finding life difficult helped her feel less alone. Communities where people can be honest about life's challenges can help us feel accepted and supported. They remind us that we do not have to face difficult times on our own.
Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups offer welcoming spaces where people can talk openly about their mental and emotional wellbeing, learn practical tools and build genuine friendships. For many people, they become a place where they feel they belong.
For many Christians, faith is an important source of comfort during times of loneliness.
Psalm 34:18 says: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Many people find reassurance in knowing that God is close, especially when they feel most alone. As Christians, we can reflect that love by noticing the person who may be feeling overlooked, listening without rushing to offer solutions and helping create communities where people know they matter.
None of us can solve loneliness alone. But together, we can create spaces where people feel welcomed, heard and connected.
Open the door to hope
This summer, Kintsugi Hope wants to help 1,000 people take their first step into a Wellbeing Group.
For many people, walking through the door is the hardest part. It can also be the first step towards feeling connected again. Every £2.15 donated to our Open the Door to Hope campaign helps fund someone's first visit to a group where they can feel welcomed, supported and less alone.
If you are able to, please consider giving £2.15, or another amount, to help open the door to hope.
Kintsugi Hope is a growing movement of churches and charities taking up the call to create safe spaces for their community. Will you join the movement?
