Why loneliness is the next pandemic

This post is written by Rosie Havers, a Research Assistant at the Wales Centre for Public Policy.

• The problem: Complex issues surrounding loneliness mean that what we often see as the solution - ‘getting out’ and socialising - can be difficult for many of us, particularly after lockdown.

• Why it matters: Loneliness is damaging to both emotional and physical well-being, and it is felt significantly more by people experiencing other forms of disadvantage or inequality.

• The solution: We need a diversity of approaches to tackling loneliness that focus on building a sense of purpose as well as building connections with other people.

Not everyone has been out enjoying the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. As the festive period approaches, many of us still feel stuck in ‘lockdown’, or alone even if we are with others. For someone with sight loss, new layouts might make familiar places feel alien; for a young person, social pressures might be overwhelming; for someone with health issues the risks can feel crushing; for a person with autism, new social rules or the smell of disinfectant might be too much. There might not be enough money to go to the pub.

Loneliness was widespread before the pandemic – particularly among groups already experiencing marginalisation. Research suggests that those already lonely have experienced the biggest increase in loneliness during the pandemic. Lockdown was not a leveller.

"The pandemic highlighted the importance of additional ‘stepping stones’ to connection"

At the Wales Centre for Public Policy, we work to address key economic and societal challenges through the use of evidence. We recently carried out research on the role of communities and the use of technology in addressing loneliness during the Coronavirus pandemic in Wales. This involved 71 people from over 50 community groups, reflecting geographic, social and economic diversity nationally. Here are four key lessons about loneliness that we learned.

1. Loneliness is not (always) about being alone

Emotional loneliness is feeling the lack of a close companion or loving partner; social loneliness is feeling a lack of belonging to a wider group; and existential loneliness is a sense of disconnection from others, even if they are there. The last one is less talked about or studied, but in our research it was the experience most often described across the diverse groups involved: a sense of detachment and emptiness, regardless of social relationships, that had usually been present before the pandemic and was intensified by ‘lockdown’. Having people around could make it worse. What helped was building a sense of purpose through meaningful activities, whether carpentry or campaigning – connecting to ‘something bigger’, not just to other people.

2. Joining a club is not (always) the solution

Practical interactions like delivering or receiving food and prescriptions proved powerful in addressing loneliness during the pandemic. They provided an accessible, low pressure ‘way in’ to social connection, by shifting focus away from it. This removed some of the stigma surrounding loneliness, and the barriers to interaction that can result from loneliness and cause it in the first place. When we’re lonely, ‘getting out’, socialising or joining a group can be particularly difficult, and can sometimes leave us feeling worse. Initiatives like social prescribing work for some but don’t suit everyone. The pandemic highlighted the importance of additional ‘stepping stones’ to connection: knocking on doors; online activities; small, practical interactions. Focusing on the means to, not the ends of, social connection was key.

3. Environments are important

Pre-pandemic, increasing attention was paid to the role of physical environments in addressing loneliness: libraries, parks, transport. Now, there’s more focus on digital infrastructures too – but less on the way these physical and digital worlds interact. We found that the key to online inclusion (beyond access to and affordability of devices and connection) was not just digital skills but digital environments. These had to feel welcoming and familiar, by connecting people and places that were (or could become) known in the physical world. This relied on offline environments being accessible and inclusive too. Many felt they weren’t, so felt ‘stuck’ online. As lots of us now know, online interaction can help when you’re shut away, but only because you’re shut away. Inclusion online relies on inclusion offline; on ensuring the digital and physical worlds aren’t separate.

4. Government support is needed too

The Welsh, Scottish, and UK governments had all written loneliness strategies before the pandemic. These present a range of policy approaches and ambitions for enabling social connection. The pandemic has challenged these strategies, but also shed light on the things around us that help to build community: meaningful activities and inclusive places to do them; accessible transport and internet; funding that makes it easy for people with ideas to act on them; local councils that support and link community groups. There’s an ecology around social connection and well-being – it doesn’t need controlling, but it does need vital resources to survive and thrive. This is where governments can play a role. The Welsh Government’s plans, policies and funding programmes to support community action and infrastructures are welcome steps.

Paying attention to lessons learned about loneliness and connection during the pandemic is critical. Loneliness is gaining attention as a public health issue, with mortality effects similar to smoking or obesity. Crucially, it causes deep and lasting emotional pain. Let’s not leave anybody in lockdown.

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