Tackling loneliness

If you're a carer and feeling lonely, find out about support you can get to help you tackle loneliness.

Two men on a bench

Some of the services offered by the organisations below may have been adapted due to Coronavirus. Get in touch with them to see what they can offer you.

Get in touch with your local carer service

Your local carer service will be able to help you find support near where you live. Many of them run groups for carers where you can get a chance to meet other people in a similar situation. Other carers will understand how you feel and may be able to share some of their own experiences. Your local carer service may also have trips out and social activities, either with or without the person you care for.

Talk to your family and friends

Talk to your family and friends and see if they can help out a bit more, particularly if they know how you feel. They may want to help but don’t know how best to do this. 

Be honest with them and tell them what they could do to help. Be specific. They might be able to support you over the phone and/or online. Arrange a time each week when you speak to them even if you haven’t got anything special to tell them. 

Befriending schemes

Befriending schemes offer companionship and support to you or the person you care for.  Contact your local carer service to see what is available near you, or search online.

Find out more about sitting and befriending services

It is worth getting in touch with organisations such as the following to see what is available for you and the person you care for:

Age UK

Mind

Scope

 You can also search for schemes near you on the Befriending Networks website.

Looking after yourself 

A good starting point is to have a carer’s assessment so you get the chance to discuss your needs with your local council. The assessment is free and your local council will use it to decide what support to give you.

Find out more about carer’s assessments  

You might also benefit from some respite.

Find out more about getting a break

Find further support 

  • Find out about chatting to other carers in an online forum.
  • The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can call the helpline on 0800 4 70 80 90. It offers free, weekly friendship calls for carers who might be feeling a bit isolated. This is called Silver Line Telephone Friends.
  • Find ideas to help you to think about what you could do to help yourself, or how to ask for help from others from the Campaign to end loneliness
  • The LGBT Foundation Helpline offers support and advice on a range of topics including if you are struggling with your mental health or feeling lonely or isolated. Contact them by telephone or email. 
  • Get advice on feeling well and overcoming loneliness later in life from the Royal Voluntary Service.
  • Read a guide on how to feel more connected from Independent Age.
  • Find out about Reengage which supports older people who live alone and find it hard to get out in normal times.