National Loneliness Awareness Week

“People in church communities are playing a valuable role in combating loneliness and isolation.”

Loneliness affects people of all ages from all backgrounds. It’s described as “the silent epidemic” by loneliness charity The Marmalade Trust and is fast becoming a scourge of modern society. Although difficult to quantify, it’s thought that 85% of adults have experienced loneliness.(1)

Corin Pilling, Vocational Flourishing Officer for the Methodist Church, says levels of isolation can be severe and often those most in need go unnoticed, but that “People in church communities can play a valuable role in combating loneliness and isolation.”

This week marks National Loneliness Awareness Week and, for those living alone, local churches can provide a vital lifeline. That’s exactly what’s happening every week in Methodist churches across the UK. In the Northamptonshire market town of Daventry, people realised that there was a need to provide support for the lonely and isolated. Daventry Methodist Church runs several groups, including a Luncheon Club that provides much needed companionship for older members, fortnightly fellowship groups, and an evening friendship circle, as well as a toddler group that offers support to young families.

But it's not just members of the church who are being supported. Four days a week Daventry Methodist Church runs its Open Door coffee bar where everyone is welcome - church member or not. Something as simple as a warm drink and a friendly smile can, and does, make a world of difference.

It was the opening of a new health centre nearby that inspired Lay Preacher and Pastoral Secretary Margaret Geldart to set it up. She decided to create a space “where patients leaving the health centre have someone to confide in if they've received bad news. They can feel supported, whether they want to talk or just need a quiet space to sit.” She recalls one man who’d received a cancer diagnosis: “He told me that just popping in for a coffee and a chat made the world of difference to him at a very difficult time.” Margaret feels that without this service, many people may be suffering alone, pointing out that it’s available to anyone in the neighbourhood who wants to connect with others.

This outward focus is vital. Corin stresses the importance of looking beyond the walls of a church and asking, “Who are our neighbours, who are we looking out for?” Corin says, “If we can encourage churches to see people in their communities as participants, it will change the energy and the dynamics with connection and an invitation to prayer.”

More than a third of adults are ashamed to admit to feeling lonely, according to the Mental Health Foundation.(2) Corin agrees there’s a taboo surrounding it: “No one wants to go to a loneliness group, because of the stigma attached. Any intervention needs to be done ‘with’ and not ‘to’ people and the approach needs to be reframed as something positive. Church communities need to be very aware of how they present what’s on offer in order to prevent feelings of embarrassment and even shame, and the message should be clear that ‘it’s ok not to be ok’.”(3)

It’s important to address the issue of loneliness due to the health impacts it can have. The World Health Organisation warns that “loneliness can have negative impacts on physical and mental health” and estimates that a lack of social connection “can increase the risk of all-cause mortality by 9–22%”.(4)

A community-based approach is possible if there are willing volunteers. In Daventry, Yvonne Potts and Pat Manchester are regulars on the volunteer rota. Yvonne says loneliness can impact anyone at any age. “It’s not just the elderly who feel isolated, I remember a young mum coming to the toddler group. She was anxious and kept herself to herself, then one day I noticed she was chatting with the other mums and was much more relaxed and making friends.”

Pat feels the welcoming and non-threatening environment of the coffee bar creates opportunities for connection and friendship. She recalls one regular who clearly benefits from the contact because, “Within minutes of arriving, his face is beaming and he’s clearly enjoying the company of others.”

Corin says we need to be aware that the onset of loneliness can be sudden. “Many of us can transition into loneliness through a change in situation, such as working from home or maternity leave, through illness, loss of mobility, loss of role, or the loss of a partner.” He adds, “In addition, with the rise in single households there is more of a risk of loneliness, and it is important to recognise when people might be subject to this. There is no substitute for warmth, connection, and a place where everyone is known by name.”

References and Links:

(1)Home | Loneliness Awareness Week and

Nextdoor, Marmalade Trust. "The silent epidemic". (2023)

(2)Mental Health Foundation | Everyone deserves good mental health

(3)Christians Together Against Loneliness - Home

(4)From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies – Report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection (2025, p. 209)

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