Our Prevalence of Loneliness report digs deep into the risk factors for loneliness and its impact on physical and mental wellbeing as we age. To be effective in reducing loneliness, we must work back from the point where loneliness becomes an issue, to better understand why loneliness appears and recognise when it is happening. One significant challenge for anyone seeking to understand loneliness is that the statistics rarely give the full picture. Our report focused on prevalence, which on a surface-level leads to the conclusion that younger people are the most affected by loneliness. However, we know that for people aged 75 and over, loneliness is less about how many people are affected, and more about how severe and long-lasting loneliness becomes. Loneliness in younger generations is less likely to be permanent, but for older people, without intervention, it can become part of their life – which is why our loneliness-reducing services are crucial. Head across to the report to find out more about this important piece of work.

Earlier this week, we sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care calling for urgent action to protect access to vital health services for older people. We shared with him our recent Care on Hold report which dives into the detail behind the challenges older people face in accessing digital GP appointments and other healthcare services. We’re proud that other organisations and charities supporting older people co-signed the letter, adding their support to this important issue. We will of course keep you updated as our campaign continues. 

In our work to see what impact we can have on reducing loneliness, I came across a heartwarming story which combines two of the things we focus on here at Re-engage: older age, and volunteering. 90-year-old Derek from Northamptonshire started volunteering at his local hospital after experiencing their support during visits with his late wife. Derek says he enjoys giving back, and volunteers to remain "active and out of trouble". We love to hear from volunteers who share their motivations for taking the time to support older people, like this Re-engage Call Companion: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join Re-engage. Being a volunteer has helped me in dealing with my own loneliness and isolation too as well as being a friend to Josephine.”

And the difference volunteering with Re-engage makes? I think this Re-engage guest puts it perfectly: “I wish to thank all who take the time to call for us. Volunteers are wonderful and help enrich my life. I have also met so many new friends who I also contact out of my Re-engage meetings. Hopefully, this will continue. Thanks again for everything.”