New research reveals rising loneliness among young people, with many choosing ‘digital comfort’ over human connection One in four (25%) young people find it easier to talk to an AI than a real person and 14% would turn to an AI when feeling lonely 65% said they’d cancelled social plans to spend time online instead Nearly half (48%) say home is where they feel most lonely, whilst one in five (19%) feel unsafe or unwelcome in public spaces 58% of Gen Z are worried about loneli

Guest blog post by Amy Bussey, Head of Insight & Innovation at Ygam Loneliness is not just a feeling. For many young people growing up in the digital world, it's part of a wider story around mental health, coping mechanisms, escapism, and the pressure of wider structural conditions. When those conditions intersect with the pervasive availability of gambling products, vulnerability compounds, and so does the harms that follow. Understanding that intersection is central to wh

Guest blog by Iva Dragostinova is a counsellor based in the UK, working with themes of identity, belonging and intersectionality. Her work is shaped by her own experience of growing up between cultures and countries. Loneliness is not always what it looks like. We picture it as a person sitting alone at a table. An empty chair. A phone that doesn't ring. But some of the loneliest moments of my life happened in rooms full of people. I know this because I have lived it. More t

For over a decade, Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Cable Car has been a fixture in the skyline, transporting passengers across the Thames. During Loneliness Awareness Week, two gondolas are transformed into Chatty Cabins, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to meet, chat, and build connections in a city experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Travellers can book special cabins on the London Cable Car across the River Thames, where they are encouraged to chat. On t

Guest blog by: Rachael is a freelance Communications Consultant and member of Bringing Us Together's 'Doing It Solo' project. She is also a solo parent and has felt the depth of loneliness when parenting a child who shows up differently in the world, and the difference that community can make. This June, from 15th to 21st, we’re taking the time to share our experiences of loneliness and isolation for Loneliness Awareness Week, a global campaign hosted by leading loneliness ch

Guest blog by Loop, a platform designed to help people connect through real-life meet-ups. Loop supports both 1:1 and group activities, making it easier for people to discover events, meet others and feel more confident showing up. Loneliness Awareness Week (15th–21st June) led by Marmalade Trust, is a national campaign focused on reducing stigma, encouraging open conversations around loneliness and helping people feel more connected through community-led activity. Now in its

Guest blog by Ella Baker, founder of The Loneliness Movement, a 2,500+ member in-person women’s community in Guelph, Canada. Drawing from her own experience of long-term loneliness after moving from England, her work focuses on turning awareness into real-life connection. Follow her on Instagram @thelonelinessmovement. My relationship with loneliness has been a lifelong journey. Growing up I always felt as though I didn’t belong, so when I fell in love with a Canadian and mov

Guest blog post by Music Declares Emergency. This June, we’re taking part in Loneliness Awareness Week. From 15 to 21 June 2026, we’ll be joining the global campaign led by Marmalade Trust. As part of our June Climate Action Challenge, we want to open up a conversation about loneliness, connection, and the role music can play in bringing people together. At Music Declares Emergency, our mission is to bring the music community together to demand urgent action on the climate an

Guest blog by: Andrea Frankenthal, Founder & CEO of hapipod.com – Homeshare Matching Site Making loneliness a personal challenge When I started university, I read Lynne Reid Banks’ ‘The L-Shaped Room’. For me, it was a tale of loneliness that profoundly affected me. I vowed not to let loneliness impact my life, and to help others do the same! I made sure I had ‘a friend for all occasions’, and as a natural networker, I loved helping others connect too. Later in life, after 67

Guest blog by: Libraries Connected, who are supporting Loneliness Awareness Week by encouraging libraries across their network to create welcoming spaces for connection and conversation. Loneliness is not always visible, yet its impact on individuals and communities can be profound. During Loneliness Awareness Week, we are reminded that dealing with isolation is not only about services, but about creating spaces where people feel they belong. Public libraries are exactly that

Guest blog by: The Bladder & Bowel Community supports millions of people across the UK and internationally by providing information, guidance, and practical advice on bladder and bowel conditions and related healthcare. Our mission is to raise awareness, offer meaningful support, and empower individuals to take control of their health and advocate for their own care needs. As the creators of the original Just Can’t Wait toilet card, our work plays a vital role in improving ac

Guest blog by: Rachael is a Communications Consultant at Trinity Centre, with whom she has been working since 2021. Trinity was established in 1972 for the benefit of Newham residents, particularly those who may be isolated, marginalised and vulnerable, to create a community space for education, support and connection. This June, from 15 to 21 June 2026, we’re taking part in Loneliness Awareness Week, a global campaign hosted by leading loneliness charity Marmalade Trust. Wh

Small moments of connection can have a positive impact on people experiencing loneliness, and there is no better place to get talking than the Great British pub. HEINEKEN UK has been involved in alleviating loneliness for 10 years, and has been Marmalade Trust’s corporate partner since 2023. The brewer has since been a powerful supporter of Loneliness Awareness Week, raising funds and creating connection opportunities across its over 2,000 UK Star pubs. “We know social conn

From 15–21 June , people across the UK and beyond will come together for Loneliness Awareness Week . Whatever action you take, big or small, every action helps create space for connection and conversation. You can find out more about the 2026 theme Giving loneliness a voice here . See below for how to get involved: Host an event or activity Bringing people together, even in a small way, can create meaningful moments of connection. This could b e a coffee morning, a workshop

This year from 15-21 June , Loneliness Awareness Week celebrates its 10th anniversary. In 2017, the campaign launched with the tagline Let’s Talk Loneliness. What began as a way to start the conversation has grown into a global movement - encouraging people of all ages to talk openly about loneliness and providing support for businesses, organisations, and community groups to bring people together to connect and raise awareness. Now, we look back over 10 years with a taglin

In this guest blog for Loneliness Awareness Week, Life Story Writer Rachel Lewis shares how her “Memories and Milestones” project uses creative storytelling to build connection, confidence, and community, helping people feel less alone and more understood. Loneliness can touch anyone, at any stage of life. It affects our confidence, health, and sense of belonging. As a Life Story Writer, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when people take time to reflect, reconnect, and share t

Georgina from loneliness charity Re-engage discusses new conversations and learning in the field of loneliness.

New research conducted by Marmalade Trust, in partnership with Ipsos, reveals stigma is stopping people opening up about loneliness.

Coach, presenter and mentor Kim Ingleby details her volunteering journey and offers little tips for alleviating loneliness.

Coach, presenter and mentor Kim Ingleby details her volunteering journey and offers little tips for alleviating loneliness.