Talking About Loneliness
2015
Explore a Tower Hamlets Public Health project using participatory research to understand loneliness among residents over 50 and identify community-driven solutions to improve wellbeing.
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Project resources
Talking about Loneliness Report
In 2015, the Public Health Team at Tower Hamlets Council commissioned this project to inform the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on loneliness and social isolation among residents over 50. Data indicated that older people in Tower Hamlets were at high risk of loneliness, but little was known about their lived experiences or the solutions they felt could improve their wellbeing.
Our Approach
The project used Participatory Action Research (PAR), a qualitative method that positions local residents as experts in their own lives. PA enables open dialogue through interactive tools and visual techniques, encouraging participants to express issues, analyze them collectively, and generate solutions.
Over a 12-month period, 20 local volunteers were recruited and trained to carry out this work. Engagement took place in spaces where older people naturally gather, including lunch clubs, support groups, public events, and informal settings. In addition, in-depth interviews with more than ten individuals who experience loneliness provided unique personal insights.
The project engaged approximately 600 residents across the borough, capturing diverse perspectives. The report reflects a wide range of opinions and experiences rather than a single consensus, offering insight into the complexity of loneliness in Tower Hamlets.
Key Findings
Mental Health and Wellbeing – Emotional support, anxiety, depression, and the impact of isolation on overall quality of life.
Physical Health – How physical limitations and chronic conditions contribute to social isolation.
Feeling Safe – Concerns about personal safety and fear of crime restricting social interaction.
Housing Conditions – Inadequate or unsuitable housing affecting independence and social connection.
Family, Relationships, and Life Experiences – Changes in family dynamics, bereavement, and mobility of younger relatives.
Community Activities and Social Networks – Availability, accessibility, and awareness of activities for older adults.
Culture, Faith, and Cohesion – The role of cultural identity, faith communities, and social cohesion in combating loneliness.
Environment and Infrastructure – Public spaces, transport, and the built environment shaping opportunities for social engagement.
Cross-cutting Issues - Service provision and economic disadvantage emerged across all themes, highlighting how access to resources, financial insecurity, and poverty intensify the risk of loneliness.
Conclusions
This research emphasizes the importance of listening to older residents when developing interventions to reduce loneliness. By understanding the interplay of mental and physical health, social networks, environment, and economic factors, service providers and community organizations can design more effective, sustainable solutions.
The findings provide evidence for targeted initiatives, such as improved local services, community-led projects, social inclusion activities, and policies to address financial hardship among older residents in Tower Hamlets.
“If you go to the doctor you get a pill for a headache, a cream for your skin, but you can’t get anything for loneliness.”
Local resident
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