Targeting Isolation and Loneliness Together

Welcome to Tackling Isolation and Loneliness Together (TILT)

The Newry, Mourne and Down Community Planning Partnership has developed an initiative to help address loneliness and isolation across our district.

Our aim is to raise awareness of these issues and guide you toward activities, support or learning opportunities that may help you or someone you care about feel more connected.

What is Loneliness and Social Isolation?

Loneliness is a normal human emotion people may experience at some stage in their life. One in three people in Northern Ireland feel they are lonely.

A parent at home with a new baby How to cope with parental loneliness | NSPCC
An older person who has worked all their life and has retired Loneliness and Social Isolation — Tips for Staying Connected | National Institute on Aging
A teenager who spends most of his time on social media Feeling Lonely | CALM
Someone in a domestic violence situation Loneliness and Domestic Abuse - Broxtowe Women's Project Home - Women's Aid
A carer looking after a family member Health & Wellbeing - Tackling Loneliness | Carers Trust
Someone with autism Loneliness
A bereaved person Grief and loneliness | Cruse Bereavement Support
Loneliness can affect anyone Facts and Statistics | Campaign to End Loneliness

Did You Know?

There is strong evidence that long-term loneliness can damage health as much as, or more than:

obesity
smoking
air pollution
physical inactivity

Though loneliness is not itself a mental health condition, it can seriously affect emotional wellbeing. It increases the risk of:

depression
poor mental health
heart disease
high blood pressure
frailty
stroke
type 2 diabetes

Helpful resources:

15 things to do if you're feeling lonely | Mental Health Foundation

Tips if you're feeling lonely | How we can help | Samaritans

Loneliness vs Social Isolation

Although linked, they are different:

Social isolation is the quantity of social interactions and relationships someone has.
Loneliness is about how a person feels, emotionally and socially.

?Learn more: Loneliness and Social Isolation - HelpGuide.org

If 1 in 3 people in Northern Ireland feel lonely, we know there is action we can take. Support is available, and this page can help guide you to the right resources.

Understanding Social Health

Health is not only physical or mental — it is also social.

Social health relates to the quality of your relationships, your sense of belonging, and the support you receive from the people around you. Being socially healthy means:

building connections with friends, family and community
feeling supported, valued and loved
engaging in relationships that feel nourishing

Learn more:

Human connection is essential — not optional — for overall health and wellbeing. Strengthening social health benefits everyone, not just those who feel lonely.

Not everyone is lonely, but everyone can benefit from cultivating connection and community. We all need to move our bodies, eat nutritious food and get restful sleep – not just people who are sick. In the same way, we all need to spend time with loved ones and feel cared for – not just people who are lonely.

One-to-One Local Support

Community Health Trainers – Newry and Mourne

Support is available through the Verve Healthy Living Network, a partnership of community and voluntary organisations working with the Southern Health and Social Care Trus

Take 5 steps to wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing | Minding Your Head

To improve your social health:

Spend quality time with friends and family
Maintain consistent communication
Join local clubs or groups related to your interests
Volunteer in your community
Volunteering | Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Volunteering - Volunteer Now
Practice empathy
Set healthy boundaries to ensure respectful, supportive interactions

Can I measure my loneliness?

Many tools exist, but one of the most recognised is the UCLA Loneliness Scale. This validated scale helps measure loneliness and provides insight into how someone feels.

You can take the short version here:

Take Survey

We hope you find this helpful. These pages will be updated and reviewed regularly.