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Loneliness Awareness week

Published on 11 June 2024 09:47 AM

Age UK Bradford District is marking this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week (10th-16th 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. This highlights just how crucial this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week theme is, which is all about creating small, meaningful moments and random interactions for us all to help each other and reduce feelings of loneliness in our day-to-day lives. 
 
Mark Rounding CEO at Age UK Bradford District, said: “There are many ways we can all help to create connections with others. 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.” 
 
There are plenty of simple and practical actions people can take to help older people in the area who may be feeling lonely. These include: 
  • 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 an older person to a local event? Age UK Bradford District holds a wide variety of in-person social activities including friendship groups in the local area which each do their bit in tackling feelings of loneliness.  
  • Give out useful numbers:  
    • Age UK Bradford District can be contacted via phone, email or post. To speak to a member of our team, call 01274 391190. 
    • Age UK also runs a number of loneliness services on a national level, including its Telephone Friendship Service (0800 434 6105), Advice Line (0800 169 6565), and The Silver Line Helpline (0800 4 70 80 90) which was founded by Dame Esther Rantzen and is free and available 24 hours a day for any older person who would like a friendly chat. 
  • Support Age UK Bradford District: Age UK Bradford District works tirelessly to ensure all older people in the Bradford area 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/bradforddistrict/get-involved/ 
For more details on Age UK Bradford District and its services, as well as information on how to support and donate to the Charity, please visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bradforddistrict/