- Loneliness Minister Stuart Andrew hosts a meeting at 10 Downing Street to discuss loneliness among young people
- High-profile media personalities to support include former Made in Chelsea star Josh Patterson and influencer and entrepreneur Brontë King
- Stars are supporting the launch of a government campaign to tackle the stigma of loneliness
EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri are among the TV personalities and social media influencers campaigning to normalize loneliness among young people as part of a new government campaign.
Research shows that 16 to 24 year olds are the loneliest age group and are also the least likely to take self-help measures. Figures show almost half of students admit they have hidden their feelings of loneliness for fear of being judged.
In response, the government is launching the next phase of its digital campaign to tackle the stigma surrounding young people's loneliness.
Video content will run for six weeks on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and will feature people experiencing loneliness in everyday situations, such as moving away from home and scrolling social media.
The clips will feature the campaign's new slogan, “Loneliness.” It's a part of life. “Let’s Talk About It,” which aims to normalize loneliness and create a conversation around the topic to reduce the stigma.
Ahead of the campaign's launch, Loneliness Minister Stuart Andrew held a meeting at 10 Downing Street to enlist the help of high-profile figures with a total of 8.7 million followers across all platforms on a pro bono basis.
Brontë King, Bobby Brazier and Tasha Ghouri were joined by Netflix series Heartstopper star Bradley Riches and social media influencer Anastasia Kingsnorth to discuss their personal experiences and thoughts on the topic.
Stuart Andrew, Minister for Loneliness, said:
We know that young people are the age group most affected by loneliness, but also the least likely to take action to support themselves.
Our latest campaign will encourage young people to talk about their experiences. The aim is to break down the stigma that so often prevents people from receiving support.
Everyone should know that they are not alone and help is available.
Roundtable participants shared their views on the causes of loneliness, talked about their own personal experiences and suggested how they could support themselves or someone they know when they feel lonely, for example by taking up a hobby or dedicate it to a club or invite a friend over for tea or coffee and a chat.
Actor and model Bobby Brazier:
Everyone feels lonely at times throughout their lives because modern life can be very isolating.
That's why it's so important to me to be part of this campaign, to show that it's okay and encouraged to talk about our feelings.
Actor Bradley Riches said:
This campaign is extremely important to me because as an autistic and queer person, I have always felt extremely lonely throughout my life.
I think when people think of loneliness they often think of older people, but no one really talks about young people feeling lonely.
This campaign helps create a space where people can get support and break down the stigma because everyone feels lonely at some point in life.
Influencer and entrepreneur Brontë King said:
After starting a community to support girls during and after college, I've seen first-hand how common loneliness really is among 16-24 year olds.
From freshman year to post-grad life, it can really be a lonely time. That's why it's so important to be part of this campaign, to make loneliness more of a conversation and give people space to recognize that these feelings are normal, and I'm so proud to be a part of it.
Media personality Tasha Ghouri said:
I am proud to be part of the Loneliness Campaign from the Deaf Advocacy side. It's important to speak up when we feel lonely and make these open conversations normal as this will help so many more people out there!
Due to my personal experiences as a deaf person and a cochlear implant recipient, it can be isolating at times and I have had to seek support to guide me through the situation by opening up and talking about how it does so much more good than letting it happen .
Social media influencer Anastasia Kingsnorth said:
Loneliness is a feeling that everyone has experienced at some point, and it is so important to understand that you are not alone in feeling this way.
The hardest part can be admitting it, but admitting it yourself and then talking to someone else is a huge step in fighting loneliness. Everyone should know that it's okay to feel this way.
Video clips and campaign activities will link to the Better Health: Every Mind Matters loneliness website, where people can find support and advice on how to help others, as well as information on ways to help them feel less lonely.
Discord, the online communications platform for the gaming world, will also support the campaign by directing users to resources on the Every Mind Matters website. As part of the campaign activities, Discord will conduct a series of surveys to its online community in March to build a supportive conversation about dealing with loneliness.
The final phase of the campaign ran in September 2023 and was aimed at students preparing for freshers' week. Research shows that almost all students experience loneliness.
Since the government committed to tackling the stigma of loneliness in 2018, the campaign has reached at least 25 million people across the country, including those most at risk of loneliness.
Since 2018, the government and its partners have invested over £80 million to tackle loneliness, including up to £30 million from the Know Your Neighborhood Fund, which creates volunteering opportunities and helps reduce loneliness in 27 deprived areas to reduce.
Notes for editors:
- For support and advice on loneliness, search Loneliness Every Mind Matters.
- The campaign's previous ambassadors and supporting partners have also included the Prince and Princess of Wales, the world's leading dating app Tinder and youth mental health ambassador Dr. AlexGeorge.
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The campaign toolkit includes new campaign assets, key messages and recommended social media copy.
- The government is supporting young people through its National Youth Guarantee, ensuring that by 2025 every young person has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and volunteer opportunities. This is supported by investment of over £500 million, of which £300 million will finance the construction or refurbishment of youth centers through the Youth Investment Fund.
- Since its launch, the Youth Investment Fund has awarded over £250 million to 227 organizations.
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