Social Isolation and Loneliness

Social isolation and loneliness arise from a complicated mix of personal, social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors. 

Health-related factors 

• Poor physical health and mobility issues limit social participation and often increase anxiety associated with going out. 

• Chronic illness, bereavement, and mental health conditions can make feeling of loneliness worse.  

• Loneliness is not typically a primary presenting issue in clinical settings, making identification harder. 

Digital Exclusion 

• Lack of awareness of where to seek support or make social connections, especially for those who have limited digital skills.  

• Those who rely on in-person communication may struggle to engage with digitally promoted services. 

Social and Economic Factors 

• Transport costs are a barrier to accessing community venues.  

• 95% of Stockon-on-Tees businesses are micro or small enterprises, where employees often feel lonely and/or isolated  due to the nature of their work.  

• Low-income households may lack the resources to participate in social or leisure activities.  

Workplace and Occupational Factors 

• Individuals working alone or in dispersed environments may not have daily opportunities for meaningful social contact. 

• Those in unstable or shift-based employment face barriers to accessing services offered within traditional working hours.  

• Communication Barriers  

• Approximately 90% of people who attend Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) struggle with literacy, making traditional written communication ineffective.  

• Culturally, literal translated documents into different languages can be confusing and miscommunicate intended messages. 

• Messages can often contain too much "jargon".  

• Individuals may feel embarrassed to admit feelings of loneliness.  

• Perceptions that services are "not for them" (e.g., young people avoiding CAB as too "corporate"). 

• Stigma and Personal Barriers