Support with loneliness
I feel lonely
Loneliness is an unwelcome feeling of isolation and disconnection. It can happen when there’s a mismatch between the relationships we have, and those we want.
Feelings of loneliness can come from physical or emotional factors. For example, you may be physically isolated and unable to feel connected because there is no one to connect with.
Others experience emotional loneliness, where you are among people but don’t feel able to connect. You may feel like you have different interests, priorities or lifestyles to your family members, neighbours or colleagues.
It’s important to remember that loneliness doesn’t look one way, and it can affect anyone.
If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness or know someone who is, there is support.
Where to find support
The NHS has a lot of information about feeling lonely, as loneliness can impact your physical health as well as your mental health. You can find out more on the Every Mind Matters website.
There are also lots of great things happening locally to help you connect with others and support your mental health and wellbeing:
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Getting East Sussex Moving – being physically active can help with your mental health and help you connect with others
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Volunteering opportunities – a great way to feel more connected with your community
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Reading Friends – read, share stories and meet new friends at East Sussex libraries
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ESCIS has lots of local event listings so you can find something that interests you
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Family hubs are a great way to get support and meet other parents and families
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If you’re over 50, find out more about seniors’ associations the annual Full of Life festival
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Mental health support can also help when you’re feeling lonely
Helping others feel less lonely
Loneliness is something many of us have felt at one point or another - yet it often remains unspoken. The stigma surrounding it can make people hesitant to reach out. They might worry about being judged, feeling embarrassed, or offending those they confide in.
This silence can make it difficult to recognise when someone is struggling with loneliness. It can also leave us unsure of how to help.
But small actions can go a long way. If you're wondering how you might support others who are feeling lonely, here are a few simple ways to start:
Ways to make a difference in your community
It makes such a difference to your day and how you are feeling when someone - a stranger - says hello and smiles.
Be kind - sometimes it can be simple as having a cup of tea together and checking in how a person is feeling.
A smile and a hello at the bus stop can trigger conversations that wouldn’t otherwise have taken place.
Explore volunteering opportunities - Volunteering not only helps build community - it’s also a powerful way to bring people together. Many roles involve supporting others who may be feeling lonely, and they can be just as fulfilling for you too.
- Find out more about volunteering in East Sussex
If you're an employee, check with your workplace to see if there are resources or initiatives aimed at tackling loneliness
If you're an employer, think about joining forces with other local businesses to connect with people in your area
Contact your local community support services
They can connect you to a wide range of local activities and support in your community, including volunteering opportunities:
Events to help you connect
Feeling lonely for a long time can impact our health and wellbeing. It's important we all take steps to help if we, or others, are experiencing loneliness.
In East Sussex there are lots of ways to connect more with others. Find events or groups to join across the county:
Rother
Hastings
Wealden
Sussex-wide
- East Sussex libraries - wellbeing events
- Find events on our directories, ESCIS and 1Space
About the Face Loneliness project - building a connected East Sussex
Loneliness doesn’t always look how we expect. It can affect anyone, at any age and at any time in our lives. In East Sussex, it’s recognised as a public health concern with serious impacts on mental and physical health.
Why we’re working together to tackle loneliness
We know that loneliness is a complex issue.
It’s shaped by life events, influenced by health conditions, inequalities and where you live.
No single organisation can tackle it alone.
In East Sussex, Local authorities, the NHS, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) faith and private sector services are working together to address loneliness.
Recognising that providing support and interventions earlier, is key to prevent people becoming chronically lonely.
“Our vision is for East Sussex to be a place where no-one feels lonely”
To achieve this, our mission is: to reduce loneliness and build a connected and supportive community for all.
This means creating spaces where people can meet, talk, and belong. It means supporting local groups, sharing understanding of loneliness with staff teams and volunteers.
If you'd like more information about the Face Loneliness project, or are interested in being involved in tackling loneliness in East Sussex, please email: tacklingloneliness@sussexcommunity.org.uk