Get help with loneliness

We provide local support services, workshops and resources to help you deal with and overcome loneliness.

More than 9 million people in the UK say they feel lonely some or most of the time. So if loneliness is affecting your life, you're not alone.

The rising cost of living can be challenging for our mental wellbeing – causing stress, anxiety and isolation. We want to make sure that if you're struggling with your mental health you have somewhere to turn.

What are the symptoms of loneliness?

Loneliness influences how we think, feel and act. It will feel different to everyone, but chronic loneliness and isolation can seriously affect someone’s health and wellbeing. Often, for people experiencing loneliness, socialising can be difficult.

Loneliness might make you feel:

  • less confident
  • disconnected from others
  • tired
  • isolated and alone
  • trapped
  • less focused or lacking purpose
  • frustrated

and in the most extreme cases, loneliness can cause thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

> Five facts about loneliness

If you have symptoms of loneliness, call our support line on 0808 196 3651 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

How to cope with loneliness

Everyone is different and there is no one way to tackle loneliness. But here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

Do you support others who might be feeling lonely? Develop your skills with our free Supporting Connections workshop, or view all free workshops for adults

It might be helpful to hear other people’s experiences of loneliness. In the kind place podcast, we explore what it means to be lonely by hearing from people who are living with loneliness.

> Listen to all episodes

Where can I turn to for help to cope with loneliness?

Red Cross support line

Call our free confidential support line on 0808 196 3651 for advice on loneliness support.

For 24-hour support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or send them an email.

 A British Red Cross coronavirus support line volunteer talks on the phone while looking at a laptop and writing on a pad of paper.

Support after a hospital stay

Being discharged after your hospital stay can be a challenging experience, especially if you don't have any support with you at home. Our trained volunteers can:

  • help collect you from hospital
  • make sure you have everything you need in your first couple of days at home
  • provide up to 12 weeks of support, depending on what you need
  • offer emotional and practical support

> Get support at home

Natalie sits, wearing her British Red Cross uniform and a face mask, opposite Eunice during a visit to her house

We also provide additional emotional support in some areas in the UK.

> Find your local support service

Need more help?

If we don’t offer the type of support you need, you can find other organisations that can help with loneliness.

How to support someone who is feeling lonely

Having a chat over a cup of tea, or helping a lonely person to join a local community group could be all it takes to help them feel better.

Book a free training session to explore how to help others manage loneliness and build connections. 

Our Loneliness Action Group brings together government, charities and businesses to work together to stop loneliness.