Social Isolation, Loneliness & Our Churches

3.8 million people in Britain experience chronic loneliness. This has stayed constant since 2020 and has not reduced to pre-pandemic levels. Those who are particularly vulnerable to isolation and loneliness include young people, older people, minority groups, and those going through significant life changes.

Churches provide community and connection, helping people to feel a sense of home and belonging. We have a lot to offer those who are struggling with isolation, in a variety of different ways.

At this ChurchWorks online event in November 2023 we welcomed over 60 churches to hear more about how the church can respond to this ‘loneliness epidemic’ through featuring a number of our partner organisations.

Linking Lives spoke about their Befriending programme, Safe Families shared more information about the Belonging Course for church small groups, Renew Wellbeing told us more about their cafe style spaces where ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ and the Warm Welcome Campaign was highlighted as an accessible and powerful vehicle of belonging and support in communities.