During the winter the colder days and darker nights naturally force us to spend more time indoors. This means we are likely to spend time interacting with other people which can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation.

Use technology to connect, if you can. FaceTime or Zoom calls with family and friends are a great way to stay connected with loved ones. In many cases they are free to use too. Making arrangements to have a video call on a specific day and time of the week will be something to look forward to and plan for. You could arrange a call after a favourite TV programme, sporting event or film to share and discuss the content or results. 

Figures show that internet use among older people is increasing, however this group are still less likely to use the internet than their younger counterparts, with nearly four million people over 65 having never used the internet (Age UK 2018). Research also highlights that people who do not use the internet are more likely to feel isolated from others; this is particularly so for those who are less mobile. 

If you don’t have the technology but are interested in becoming connected in this way Age UK has a variety of different digital inclusion projects, including one-to-one support, classroom based services and community awareness sessions.

Ask for help if you need it. Most of us will experience feelings of loneliness at some point in our lives. When you feel lonely it can be tempting to think nobody would want to hear from you. But often you'll find people do want to help. If there are people around you who you can talk to, it can be a good idea to talk about your feelings. This might seem like a difficult conversation to have, but actually talking is often the best way to start feeling better. 

Talking to someone you know could let them try and help you, while they may not necessarily have the answer it can make you feel listened to and often an outside perspective can really help. Talking to people is a great way to relive old memories and remind you of all the positive things in your life. If there isn’t anyone you can talk to you could take advantage of services that tackle loneliness. 

Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Services allows you to sign up for a free weekly friendly call. It can be a great way to speak to someone new. The Silver Line also offers weekly calls to people aged 55 and over. This is a free service for people looking to have a chat with a friendly and supportive volunteer.