Solutions & prevention
Loneliness, social connection and social prescribing
Loneliness is a common human experience, but when it becomes persistent it can affect both mental and physical health. It is increasingly recognised as a public-health issue, and there is growing support — including "social prescribing" — to help people reconnect. This guide explains loneliness and what can help.
Education and reference only. This article explains how treatments work in plain language — it contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician.
What loneliness is
Loneliness is the distressing feeling of a gap between the social connection we have and the connection we want. It is not the same as being alone: someone can feel lonely in a crowd, and someone can enjoy solitude without feeling lonely. It can be occasional or persistent, and it affects people of all ages — not only older adults. Recognising it as a normal feeling that can become harmful when prolonged helps reduce the stigma of talking about it.
Why it affects health
Persistent loneliness is linked to poorer mental health (including depression and anxiety) and, over time, to poorer physical health, with associations to conditions such as heart disease. The reasons are thought to include the effects of chronic stress, reduced motivation to look after oneself, and fewer people to notice and support health needs. Whatever the mechanisms, the health impact is significant enough that tackling loneliness is treated as a genuine priority.
What can help
Rebuilding connection is rarely as simple as "just get out more", but small, manageable steps help: nurturing existing relationships, joining a group or activity around a shared interest, volunteering, and staying open to new connections. Community organisations, befriending services and peer-support groups exist across the UK. For some, addressing underlying issues — such as low mood, anxiety, hearing loss, mobility or transport barriers — is the first step to reconnecting.
Social prescribing
Social prescribing is an NHS approach in which a "link worker" connects people to non-medical support in their community — such as groups, activities, befriending, exercise schemes or practical help — to improve wellbeing. Many GP practices can refer to a social prescriber, recognising that a lot of what affects health is social rather than purely medical. If loneliness is affecting you, it is worth mentioning to your GP, who can point you towards this kind of support.
In short
Key takeaways
- Loneliness is the gap between the connection we have and the connection we want — not the same as being alone.
- It affects people of all ages and, when persistent, is linked to poorer mental and physical health.
- Small, manageable steps — nurturing relationships, shared-interest groups, volunteering — help rebuild connection.
- Underlying barriers (low mood, hearing loss, mobility, transport) may need addressing first.
- Social prescribing connects people to community support via an NHS link worker — ask your GP.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Is loneliness the same as being alone?
No. Loneliness is a distressing feeling of lacking the connection you want — you can feel lonely in a crowd, or be content in solitude. It affects people of all ages.
Can loneliness affect physical health?
Persistent loneliness is linked to poorer mental health and, over time, to poorer physical health, including associations with heart disease. This is why it is treated as a genuine health priority.
What is social prescribing?
It is an NHS approach where a "link worker" connects you to non-medical community support — groups, activities, befriending, exercise schemes — to improve wellbeing. Many GP practices can refer you.
Go deeper
Related guides
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Loneliness and social prescribing
- Campaign to End Loneliness / British Red Cross
- NHS England — Social prescribing
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