Read Sense\u2019s recent research on loneliness for disabled people with complex needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- What is loneliness?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Disability and loneliness<\/a>\n
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- Loneliness statistics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Effects of loneliness<\/a>\n
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- Loneliness and mental health<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to cope with loneliness<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How Sense is tackling loneliness for disabled people<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is loneliness?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nSense is here for you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We support disabled people with complex needs of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From our free play sessions for children under eight, to our adult residential care services<\/a>, we\u2019re with disabled people and their families every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get in touch with our team to find out more about Sense services.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Contact us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLoneliness and isolation are not the same thing. Sometimes you might be alone and feel happy and content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being lonely is wishing that you had more company or friendship or partnership than you do. Loneliness might make you feel sad or low. You might feel like you\u2019ve been rejected or abandoned by other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feeling lonely means wishing you had more contact, or more meaningful contact, with other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic loneliness is loneliness that doesn\u2019t go away over long periods of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disability and loneliness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Research carried out by Sense in 2024<\/a> found that over half of disabled people with complex needs felt lonely in comparison to a quarter of the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2021<\/a>, over two thirds of disabled people we surveyed told us that their mental health was affected by social isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People with disabilities may be disproportionately lonely. This could be for many different reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might be that aspects of their disability \u2013 for example, mobility difficulties or chronic pain \u2013 make it harder for them to leave the house and spend time with other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This may also be due to barriers that exclude disabled people from taking part in their communities. For example, negative attitudes about disability, or physical barriers such as a lack of signs with braille. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These barriers can prevent disabled people from building connections and friendships as easily as other people.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve spent years living an isolated life, knowing what it can do to you and your mental health. Loneliness affects everything \u2013 you stop functioning as a human being\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe that raising greater awareness about disability and improving accessibility will help to create a more inclusive society where disabled people feel less lonely.\u201d<\/p>\nRead Ian’s story<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Loneliness statistics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to the Campaign to End Loneliness<\/a>, almost half of adults in the UK report feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sense\u2019s research in 2021<\/a> showed that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Almost two thirds of disabled people surveyed said that they experience \u201cchronic loneliness\u201d. This is compared to<\/a> around 6% of the general population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- This was even higher among young disabled people: 7 in 10 said they felt lonely \u201calways\u201d or \u201coften\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A third of disabled respondents told us they have less than an hour\u2019s interaction with someone else each day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A government survey in 2021\/2022<\/a> found that young people, disabled people and people living in deprived areas were more likely to feel lonely often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more statistics on loneliness, see the Campaign to End Loneliness<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effects of loneliness<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\u201cThe causes of loneliness among disabled people are complex. But they all stem from one thing \u2013 a sense of disconnection. This disconnection comes from barriers that prevent disabled people from feeling included. Many of the barriers for disabled people are practical, such as the need for accessible transport and buildings, financial support and appropriate social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor me personally, transport is a big issue. Being blind means that I can\u2019t drive, and with just one bus running every hour through our village, my options for getting around are limited.\u201d<\/p>\nRead Natalie’s story<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Being chronically lonely can have an impact on both your mental and physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who are lonely might experience low moods and self-esteem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also have a higher risk<\/a> of physical health problems like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re lonely, you might rely more on behaviours that are damaging for your health, like drinking or smoking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why it\u2019s important to look out for signs of loneliness in yourself and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loneliness and mental health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Studies have found that there is a strong connection between the effects of loneliness and poor mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who report<\/a> being \u201coften\u201d or \u201calways\u201d lonely have a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression, and more chance of having suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might also struggle with loneliness because of a mental health problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about loneliness and mental health from Mind.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about disability and mental health.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
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\u201cSince the pandemic, I\u2019ve become totally isolated and am struggling with depression. I\u2019m not as active as I was and have stopped doing the things I enjoy. My sleep is all over the place and my relationships have been affected.\u201d<\/p>\nLucy Dawson<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
How to cope with loneliness <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tackling loneliness is not easy, especially when you\u2019re alone and feeling unsupported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re feeling isolated, here are some ideas for what to do when you feel lonely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different things will work for different people, and you might find that what works for you one day doesn\u2019t work on another day. Try whatever you feel is currently possible and comfortable for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Take care of yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Keeping yourself healthy is so important, especially if loneliness is getting you down. Make sure you keep physically active and do things that make you feel happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something as simple as watching a favourite film or spending some time in the park might help to lift your spirits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Reach out to people in your day-to-day life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Combating loneliness starts with small gestures of kindness. Try chatting to someone you see often, like your local shopkeeper or neighbour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Connect with people online<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Social media can be both positive and negative. Sometimes it can make you feel more lonely, but if used in the right way, it could also help connect you to new friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A support worker, carer or family member might be able to support you to use social media safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4<\/strong>. Join in a group activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Taking part in a sport, gaming or music event can be a good way to meet people with similar interests to yours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important that events like these should be accessible for disabled people. Try to find out as much accessibility information as you can ahead of the event, and get a support worker or carer to help you attend if you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Try volunteering in your community<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Getting involved in a local cause you care about is not only a good way to help your community, but also to meet like-minded people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Get a pet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If it\u2019s an option for you, furry friends can be a great way of having some company and comfort in your day-to-day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Talk to someone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If there is anyone in your life that you trust to talk to about your feelings, then it might be a good idea to tell them how you feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A friend, family member, support worker or therapist might be able to listen, and to support you to feel less lonely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are struggling with your mental health, you could call a helpline like the Samaritans<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about how to spot signs of loneliness and how to tackle it.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Sense is tackling loneliness for disabled people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
At Sense, we believe that no one should be left out of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we\u2019ve campaigned to raise public awareness of loneliness for disabled people<\/a>, and carried out research into the problem<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our services are all about supporting disabled people with complex needs to communicate, build relationships and take part in their communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
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- How to cope with loneliness<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Effects of loneliness<\/a>\n
- Disability and loneliness<\/a>\n