Working together for better health and happiness.

Evidence is growing that loneliness is a serious social problem.

• Over 20% of people in England feel lonely some of the time*.
• In 2019 8.2 million people were living alone in the UK**.
• Loneliness is often connected with mental health issues.

At CARBS we work with thousands of clients every year.  Our advisers know it can be harder to sort out problems with no one to talk to.

In fact 4 in 10 clients who told us about their families live in single person households.

Source: CARBS Casebook

Of course not all are lonely!  But it seems freely available independent advice can play an important part in mitigating the impact of loneliness.

CARBS Chief Executive Andrea Dunhill said:

 “We can never underestimate the harm loneliness can cause to health and happiness.  It even seems having many friends on social media may make things worse: time spent online leaves less for the human contact we all really need.  Everyone can help by being aware of family members or neighbours who would love an extra visit or chat.

“And people are much more aware which is great.  The NHS is offering advice.  Local groups are providing a huge range of clever ways to get people involved.  We want them to know about the help we offer.  In 2020 we’ll report on projects that are contributing to a genuinely connected community.”

* Social Capital in the UK: 2020, ONS, February 2020

** Families and Households in the UK: 2019, ONS, November 2019