Blog

Active mind, active thoughts - Libby's story

I’m Libby, I’m 22 and I live near Wakefield. For the last four years, I have worked as a carer in the community. I have experienced loneliness myself and also amongst those I helped throughout the pandemic, many people’s mental health deteriorated during this time.

...

Somebody needs you - Larysa's story

Larysa talks about her experience of arriving in the UK after the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, not having any friends in her new home in Cardiff and connecting with another refugee from Yemen. Finding someone who knew how she felt helped her start to rebuild trust.

In the sticks - Fox's story

Fox talks about being disabled and the feeling of loneliness being isolated in a rural setting, together with being queer and trans. Not being able to connect with his friends who lived far away had a huge effect on his mental health.

Forming your identity - Iona's story

Iona talks about the challenges of being autistic and her feelings of loneliness after leaving school to go to university. Being outside your 'comfort zone' also had an effect on her mental health, but as she says in her story, "starting with small things can help". Volunteering and starting dance classes were her way of starting out on that journey.

There should be no shame in how we feel - Carol's story

In this story, Carol talks about how unexpectedly losing her husband during lockdown and moving to a new area affected her mental health. As the lockdown restrictions eased, her lack of friends and family meant that she really didn't have anyone to support her or empathise with how she was feeling. She talks about the things she did, like having a walk in the park and getting a dog, had a huge effect in dealing with her feelings of loneliness. As Carol says "there's nothing to be ashamed of in feeling this way."

Putting down roots - Ashleigh's story

Ashleigh talks about life in Scotland, coping with physical and mental health conditions, being a victim of voyeurism and the help she got from her connections with local LGBT groups. Ashleigh says "Talking to people and joining groups have provided me with a lot of reassurance and encouragement. It’s helped me to feel less lonely and part of a community, and that’s made all the difference."

Experience the world - April's story

When April talked to us, she described her feelings of loneliness, both as a child and as an adult. It felt almost natural to feel that way. Then, after a few weeks of lockdown, she felt the 'novelty' of lockdown was replaced with a sense of deprivation or a "fog". Having a dog is a great excuse for betting outside and April found it was a good conversation starter.

Feeling heard makes things much better - Gabi's story

In this story, Gaby tells us how turning 30 was a bit of a milestone for her. But alongside the celebration and her happy feelings of being loved by so many, her life wasn't matching up to her expectations. While she had a great job, other things like not having a relationship or children started to make her feel lonely and this was affecting her mental health.

Mehnaz - a case study

Mehnaz is 26 years old and lives with her parents in Birmingham. She is a student nearing the end of her degree after her studies were interrupted by ill-health leading to her completing a 3-year degree in 9 years.

Big Steps Forward - Dean's Story

Dean tells us how, even tho he was surrounded by a full life and loving family, being furloughed during the pandemic his feelings of loneliness started to grow and his mental health "took a hit".