Community groups have a part to play in Conclusions providing sought-after informal support, e.g. providing community facilities where The following conclusions emerged from like-minded individuals can meet and the research: promoting small public gestures within local The public viewed loneliness as an important ¤ communities, for example stopping for a short issue, and the research found loneliness is a chat with neighbours or asking family/friends common experience in the UK. Yet, the public how they are doing. perceptions of who experiences loneliness Trusted community advisors – Experts was out of sync with the reality, with more ¤ people mistakenly perceiving it as an issue and participants saw trusted people in communities, such as GPs, housing faced either solely or predominately by associations and local authorities, as being older people. well-placed to signpost to social support and As well as age which is well documented in ¤ activities, helping individuals to make the first the literature as a risk factor for loneliness, the step to accessing services and support.research confirmed that people experiencing Businesses – Neither participants nor life events which can disrupt existing ¤ connections were at risk. This will enable experts saw local businesses as traditionally providing community services and support preventative and early reactive support to be to tackle loneliness, but did identify them developed to tackle loneliness around these as being well-placed to host and deliver life events. activities in the community, supporting people People experiencing loneliness can view ¤ to connect. The impact of funding cuts to connection as a daunting experience, and local services led experts to view businesses can begin to question their own self-worth. as having a role to play in funding initiatives Chronic loneliness seems to be most likely in partnership with service providers. Local within this complex context of new emerging businesses were also viewed by participants self-identity, which can lead to barriers to as ideal community ‘hot spots’ for promoting re-connection and potentially even reduced community events and support activities.self-worth. At worst, some people even Employers – Experts viewed employers, became convinced they had nothing to offer ¤ and described having suicidal thoughts. though not automatically associated with supporting loneliness, as well-placed Loneliness can have serious consequences ¤ to connect their employees with social for individuals (for example, physical, networks either within the business or in psychological and social impacts). Our their communities. Experts recognised that research showed that some of these employers have the unique potential to deliver consequences can negatively impact on targeted programmes such as mentoring communities (for example, people withdraw (i.e. for those going into retirement) and one-from communities, contributing and to-one counselling (i.e. following giving birth engaging less) and society (for example, or experiencing loss). reduced productivity at work, increased sick days). Loneliness can also have serious consequences for isolated individuals in terms of increased morbidity, lower life satisfaction and a predisposition towards low mental and physical health. Executive summary 10