Loneliness

Explains loneliness, including the causes of loneliness and how it relates to mental health problems. Gives practical tips to help manage feelings of loneliness, and other places you can go for support.

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Useful contacts

Mind's services

Helplines – our Infolines provide information and support by phone, email and text.
Local Minds – provide face-to-face services, such as talking therapies, peer support and advocacy, across England and Wales.
Elefriends – our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Age Cymru (Wales)

08000 223 444
ageuk.org.uk/cymru
Information and support for older people.

Age UK (England)

0800 678 1602
ageuk.org.uk
Information and support for older people.

Befriending Networks

befriending.co.uk
Information on befriending, including an online directory of UK befriending services.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

0800 58 58 58 (UK helpline)
0808 802 58 58 (London helpline)
thecalmzone.net
Provides listening services, information and support for men at risk of suicide, including web chat.

Carers UK

0808 808 7777
carersuk.org
Advice and support for people caring for someone else.

Cruse Bereavement Care

0808 808 1677
cruse.org.uk
Information and support after a bereavement.

Do-it

do-it.org
Lists UK volunteering opportunities.

Empty Closets

emptyclosets.com
Online community for anyone aged over 13 who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or is curious or unsure.

Gingerbread

0808 802 0925
gingerbread.org.uk
Advice and practical support for single parent families.

LGBT Consortium

lgbtconsortium.org.uk/directory
Directory of services and groups for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Meetup.com

meetup.com
Website that allows you to find face-to-face groups of people who share your interests or aspirations.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

ncvo.org.uk
Information about volunteering, including details of local centres.

Reengage

reengage.org.uk
Social activities for people over 75 who have little or no social support.

Relate

0300 003 0396
relate.org.uk
Provides help and support with relationships, including counselling, telephone counselling and anonymous live chat.

Samaritans

116 123
samaritans.org
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
[email protected]
24-hour emotional support for anyone who needs to talk.

Scope

0808 800 3333
scope.org.uk
Provides practical information and emotional support for disabled people.

The Silver Line

0800 4 70 80 90
thesilverline.org.uk
Provides support, information, friendship and advice for older people (over 55) who may feel lonely or isolated.

Social Farms & Gardens

farmgarden.org.uk
Information on care farming and community growing projects, including a network of local farms.

Student Minds

studentminds.org.uk
Mental health charity that supports students.

Victim Support

0808 168 9111
victimsupport.org.uk
Provides emotional and practical support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.

Volunteering Wales

volunteering-wales.net
Information about volunteering opportunities in Wales.

Web of Loneliness

webofloneliness.com
Online community and website which provides information and tips on loneliness. Also allows users to share artwork and poetry.

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This information was published in July 2019. We will revise it in 2022.

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