7. Conclusions This research has demonstrated the seriousness Loneliness can have serious consequences ¤ of loneliness, not only to individuals experiencing and negative impacts at both a personal and the issue but also its potential impact on community level. Loneliness can cause and, communities, our economy, and wider society. at times, worsen existing personal problems We are now at a critical juncture where (psychological, social, and behavioural) supporting those who are at risk of experiencing and community level issues (fewer social loneliness to become reconnected with society connections, lack of confidence to leave can help those individuals as well as strengthen the home). Loneliness also has serious their communities. consequences for isolated individuals The following conclusions provide useful insights including increased morbidity, lower life into what support and services are needed satisfaction, and a predisposition towards low to help people before loneliness becomes mental and physical health. It can affect all embedded, and importantly engage those who aspects of their life, including an impact on are already feeling disconnected:other social relationships and behaviours. There is low awareness of the support Loneliness is viewed as a serious and urgent ¤ ¤ available to help people reconnect and the public issue, which is a common experience current landscape is viewed as not fit for in the UK. Yet the public perception of purpose outside of supporting older people. those who experience loneliness was out of Services were viewed as piecemeal and sync with the reality and there are existing fragmented. The key reason for participants challenges to framing this outside of an ‘older not accessing support was the lack of life’ problem. More attention could be given to awareness of the availability of services promote the idea that loneliness can happen and support relevant to them. One off/short across life stages, genders, and backgrounds term interventions were also viewed as and is not solely connected with later life.problematic. When services or support were Although age is well-documented in current ¤ accessed it was often too formal, did not literature as a risk factor to experiencing provide tailored support or was difficult loneliness, this research confirmed that to attend habitually due to location and people experiencing life events which can transport issues. Services and support disrupt existing connections are also at were signposted as needing to be tailored, risk. This ‘break of routine’ or disruption to sustainable, accessible, and targeted to identity which sees a new identity take hold is distinct stages of need. sometimes caused by a sudden or expected People who already find maintaining social life transition and therefore identifiable or ¤ preventable. Recognising this risk should relationships challenging due to other factors enable preventative and early reactive support (such as health issues or physical isolation) to be developed with people undergoing are more likely to be at risk of experiencing significant life changes. loneliness. People who face barriers in terms of other life stresses such as mental health Those experiencing loneliness can view ¤ or physical isolation are more at risk of connection with others as a daunting transitioning to chronic loneliness than others. experience, and this can result in questions The causes of loneliness are often multi- around self-worth. Chronic loneliness can ¤ therefore develop within the context of a layered and reinforcing. As loneliness is a newly emerging identity which can in turn lead complex issue which is often caused by a to difficulties re-connecting and the potential combination of personal, community and for reduced self-worth. At worst, people broader society issues, people experiencing experiencing loneliness felt they had little to loneliness need different types of support offer society and described suicidal thoughts.depending on their individual circumstances (preventative, responsive, restorative). To Conclusions 49