British Red Cross Report Reveals Rise In Loneliness During Pandemic

The British Red Cross is urging the government to come up with a plan to tackle loneliness this winter.

Their calls come as a result of a new report shows that many people aren’t coping during the pandemic.

Of those who took park, almost 40% say they haven’t had a meaningful conversation with anyone in a fortnight.

With most of the country now back under tighter lockdown restrictions, the British Red Cross is calling on everyone to come together. While they also want people to look out for the most vulnerable in society.

The call comes as the British Red Cross publishes a new report Lonely and Left Behind: Tackling Loneliness at a Time of Crisis. It offers the most detailed study yet of the impact coronavirus is having on people’s loneliness.

It includes the day-to-day experiences of 16 people who were shielding or isolating immediately after the first lockdown period.

The report also includes the results of a representative poll of more than 2,000 people. It showed that around a third worry something will happen to them and no one will notice.

36% of adults say their neighbours are like strangers to them. While more than half of the adults surveyed say they hadn’t had a meaningful conversation with someone in a fortnight.

The main body of evidence in the report – a combination of in-depth, one-to-one interviews and diary entries completed between 22 July and 1 September 2020.

British Red Cross Offering Support To People Struggling With Loneliness

It paints a rich picture of the challenges faced by people who have had very limited contact with others for a number of months.

The report also touches on other key considerations. Worries about money, the loss of a job, caring and parenting responsibilities. It also shows that, not only are some people feeling lonelier than ever, they don’t always know what to do to get help.

British Red Cross community connector Rosie Fewings has been supporting people in her community. She said;

“Our support has been vital as the coronavirus crisis has left some people feeling very vulnerable and lonely.

“We have been providing a lot of telephone support to people to try and break up the isolation. This can be a quick call to check in with people, or a longer call.”

“One of our volunteers is making 30 calls a week to people and it certainly helps. People need to feel connected to others at a time of crisis and we can all do our bit to help with that.”

British Red Cross executive director Zoe Abrams is calling for action, she said:

“If we’re going to avoid a loneliness emergency this winter, we have to listen to the people who are telling us the coronavirus crisis is leaving them feeling left behind and lonelier than ever.

“Our report shows that many vulnerable people are feeling cut off like their problems aren’t important, and unable to think of anything that might improve their situation.”

“We all need to act together now to tackle loneliness this winter.”

If you are feeling lonely and would like to reach out please call the British Red Cross coronavirus support line on 0808 196 3651.