Loneliness is increasingly recognised as an important issue with considerable implications for our individual and collective health, and one that needs to be tackled as a society to improve quality of life for everyone.
Research offers a way to do that; by understanding the causes, experiences and consequences of loneliness and social isolation, as a society we can develop interventions and solutions to boost social connections and reduce loneliness. As a charity, we want to ensure that no one is ever too old to make friends.
We know that people’s experiences are different, but we also know that older people can be particularly vulnerable due to factors such as living alone, being widowed, and having long-term health conditions.
Whatever your experience of loneliness and isolation, by taking part in research, you can help us and our research partners better understand the lives of people aged 75 and older.
Benefits of taking part in research can include:
- Gaining a better understanding of loneliness and social isolation
- Sharing experiences, opinions and advice
- Helping others
- Making a worthwhile contribution to tackling social isolation and loneliness
If you’re an older person (75+) living in the UK with experience of loneliness or social isolation, there are several ways to get involved in research with Re-engage:
- Join our research group – it’s open to older people who attend Re-engage social gatherings or activities, or who speak to one of our call companions.
- Sign up to our research mailing list – you’ll get updates about opportunities to participate in research projects and the activities of the research team.
- Review the list of current and upcoming opportunities and contact the researchers directly, or email research@reengage.org.uk to find out more.
Current and upcoming opportunities
Enhancing environments for older adult social connectedness – Re-engage and University of Oxford
Where we live can play an important role in determining our health and wellbeing and can influence the opportunities we have to socially connect with others. Re-engage is partnering with Oxford’s Global Centre on Healthcare & Urbanisation on a pilot study to learn more about the everyday social worlds of older people living in the southern coastal areas of Worthing and Bognor Regis. Tell us about getting out and about from home, the places that matter to you, and what your ideal neighbourhood would be like!
To take part or learn more, please contact Georgina (Re-engage) or Hannah (Oxford).
Health-related impacts of climate change on older populations – Anglia Ruskin University
Older people are disproportionately impacted by climate change but are seldom asked about their experiences and concerns. Would you be interested in shaping a research study that could inform future practice and policy? PhD student Rosie Eacott would like to conduct informal interviews with older people (aged approx. 70-85 years) who live in Colchester or Peterborough, about how you cope with extreme weather, climate concerns, and what could make a difference to your wellbeing.
Contact Rosie to find out more.
Exploring our unusual experiences – University of Central Lancashire
This study explores people’s unusual experiences – such as strange dreams, seeing and hearing things others cannot, or knowing things before they happen. These experiences may give us clues about what it means to be human. Our research shows that young people can have lots of these experiences. Other research shows that these experiences can happen less as we grow older. Older people are not often asked about their unusual experiences, so, we are hoping to speak with older people as part of this study. You’ll be invited to a research activities day in Bolton on 3 September 2025 (travel expenses may be available).
To find out more, email Donna Thomas or call her on 07542324926.
Using nostalgia to support emotional wellbeing and connectedness in older age – University of Surrey
A PhD student and trainee clinical psychologist is in the process of setting up a qualitative research project exploring how lonely older adults experience and use nostalgia in the context of their loneliness. The aim is to better understand how personally meaningful memories might support wellbeing and social connection in later life. At the moment, Andrea is seeking feedback from older people on her study materials (that is: participant information sheet, consent form, flyer and interview questions), to ensure the language is clear, accessible, and inclusive. At a later stage, she will be looking for research participants.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact Andrea.
Join the PhotoBreathe study – King's College London
Are you living with breathlessness and feeling disconnected, or know someone that is? King’s College London is inviting people over 50 with breathlessness to join PhotoBreathe – a creative study exploring how breathlessness affects social connections. Capture your experience in photos over two weeks, then share your story in an interview. Interested? Contact Laura Cottrell or call 020 7848 8205.
The impact of hearing loss – University of Nottingham
Hearing loss can have far-reaching effects on an individual’s life, including impacts on social and emotional wellbeing, and social participation. ‘Hearing sciences – Scottish section’ is a research group dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding. and improving the lives of people who experience hearing loss. Whether you consider yourself to have a hearing loss or not we are always looking to invite new participants to our department in Glasgow. If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please email the team.
Taking part in research frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Anyone aged 75 and over can sign up to take part in our loneliness and social isolation research. You can register on behalf of someone else if you have their consent.
We have many different types of projects, from trialling technology aimed at reducing loneliness to in-depth life-experience studies.
Opportunities to take part in loneliness research are varied and can include:
- Reviewing materials and providing feedback;
- Completing a survey;
- Being interviewed over the phone or in person;
- Showing researchers your local neighbourhood;
- Trialling a new piece of technology;
- Taking part in steering groups or focus groups;
- Conducting a video interview.
If there are studies that are relevant to you, the research team will contact you to discuss what is involved. You can ask as many questions as you wish before deciding whether to take part. If you’ve registered your interest and are invited to take part in a study, there is still no obligation to take part.