Social isolation and loneliness guide
Risk factors
Anyone, at any age, can experience social isolation and loneliness.
Some individuals or groups are more vulnerable than others because of many influencing and often interrelating factors including:
- physical and mental health,
- age or life-stage
- migrant status
- socio-economic status
- ethnicity
- gender
These factors shape an individual’s experience about the nature of their social networks and their ability to build and sustain adequate social networks.
Life events that can lead to loneliness
Life events that can lead to loneliness could include:
- becoming homeless
- bereavement
- retirement
- children leaving home
- moving into care
- becoming a carer
- experiencing discrimination
- living in an abusive environment
- living with a disability
- moving home
- bullying
- leaving care
- refugees awaiting asylum
- divorce and relationship breakdown
People can experience different levels of social isolation and loneliness over their lifetime moving in and out of these states at different life stages, life events, and as their personal circumstances change.
One of the highest risk factors for experiencing social isolation and loneliness is age.
Age UK has published data on the Risk of Loneliness. This information shows potential loneliness hot spots and is available in the Buckinghamshire Community Board Profiles.
In terms of social isolation and loneliness, the pandemic has had a direct impact on all groups. It is also likely to have exacerbated the problems faced by those who were previously most at risk and amongst groups facing exclusion, including because of ethnicity, sexuality, disability, or other factors.
It is vital that we remain alert to the risk factors and that we support people who may be living with social isolation and loneliness.
Find out more about risk factors on: