The conversation about loneliness has been growing in the last few years. However, there is still a big stigma around the term and it can make many of us uncomfortable, even though we’re all keen to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness for loved ones. 

Understanding loneliness is detrimental to making a change. However, we can make a difference by knowing how to help people we think may be experiencing loneliness. From the 13th-19th June, Together TV is participating in Marmalade Trust's Loneliness Awareness Week by offering an easy task for you to do every day to lift someone up. Each of these tips is easy to do, but the difference they can make is unmeasurable. See how many people you can lift up this week!

Make a note in your calendar of the daily tasks and follow us on social media (Twitter and Instagram) for more inspiring content:

Day 1: Invite someone for a walk

A walk in nature or just around the block is a reat way to lift someone up as it can do wonders to your mood and fitness. It’s a great way to get a friend or neighbour who lives alone out and about. 

Day 2: Text or call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while

Is there someone you haven’t spoken to in a while? Or someone you’re concerned about? What better way to let them know they’re on your mind than by dropping them a text or even calling them. A simple “Hi, I’ve been thinking about you, how are you doing?” goes a long way and you might make that person’s day.

Day 3: Workout together

Exercise is a real endorphin booster and has such a positive impact on your wellbeing, we should all try to squeeze in a daily workout. If you nominate someone to workout with you today, you’ll be getting two birds with one stone. If you live close by, try a jog together or a swim session at the local pool. If there are miles between you and you're tight on time, there are many online tutorials you can both follow such as ellenor hospice’s seated exercise class every Thursday morning with physiotherapist Andy Lowden. Or, you can just start a video call and motivate each other to do some living room lunges and calf raises.

Day 4: Write a card to a family member

Today, it’s time to go back to basics with snail mail. Writing can be incredibly cathartic and sending a card can feel really rewarding knowing you’re lifting someone up from afar. Young people and disabled people are among the largest group of people who express feelings of loneliness, so writing to a niece, nephew can help them feel more seen and validated. Having said that, who doesn’t love to receive post? An aunt, cousin or sibling will equally enjoy hearing from you. 

Day 5: Knock on a neighbours door and say hi

This task is easy to do as you won’t need to go far! Step out your door and go knock on a neighbour's door. Connecting with your neighbour can help bring a closer sense of community to you both and lift them up. Conversations starters could be loneliness awareness week, summer holiday plans or just local news!

Day 6: Share and tag someone in our social post

Tag a friend in our Instagram post and inspire them to spread the word that #EveryMindMatters. Loneliness Awareness week is all about spreading the word, lifting each other up and destigmatising loneliness. Tag multiple friends to spread the word far and wide, and make their day by letting them know you care!

Day 7: Invite someone for a coffee or bite to eat

MRI scans have picked up that hunger and loneliness activate the same area in the brain. This suggests that socialisation is a human need as much as food and water. Being in isolation has you craving socialisation as much as fasting has you craving food. They even uncovered that hungry people were less responsive to socialising stimulus, supporting the concept of “hanger", the irritable state you can be in when hungry. The good news is that loneliness is as reversible as hunger!