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The REFLECTING TOGETHER Project 2025

Loneliness and Isolation experienced by older people in South Tyneside


We wanted to find out about the experiences of loneliness and isolation of the older people who attend our Happy at Home social events, so we could make things better for them. Our older people told us about their experiences of feeling lonely. Having reflected on these conversations, we wrote a report, made a film and a booklet.



We practised ‘noticing’ the lived experience of these older people about feeling lonely. This is what they said….


TIMES

- at night time- gaps in routines so they had to ‘wait around’- no regular commitments or schedules  


THE LOSS

  • of a companion, partner, close friend- of mobility – leading to social isolation

  • of independence – roles within families become reversed

  • of control - when family and carers choose meals and groceries 


THE PLACE

- moving to be near families leading to dependency on family- loss of friends and networks leading to social isolation- becoming housebound when they can no longer use public transport and cannot afford taxis- stigmatised by the community which may prevent social participation e.g., people diagnosed with dementia  


What causes loneliness and social isolation?

By ‘NOTICING’ the lived experiences of older people, we found that loneliness and social isolation affects individuals in different ways. Examples of the causes of loneliness and social isolation include: the loss of mobility, the loss of regular contact with family, friends and society more generally, the loss of a role, retirement, or by being tied to one place. 


We need to identify the varying causes of loneliness and social isolation in order to support our older people to continue to:

  • make valuable contributions in South Tyneside

  • remain significant members of churches and the local community 

  • retain their dignity


At Churches Together South Tyneside, we believe that a community is only a whole community when it keeps the dignity of older people intact.


You can find out more about The Reflecting Together Project:


A poem by Stefanie Conradt, using the words of the older people who shared their experiences:


Watch our film



We would like to express our thanks to Stefanie Conradt Post-Doctoral Research Fellow of Regents's Park College, Oxford and the William Leech Research Fund.


We would also like to thank Helen Cameron, line manager of the Reflecting Together Project, Director of Research at Regent's Park College, Oxford. 



Finally we would like to thank all of the older people who shared their experiences of loneliness and isolation and for everyone who gave their time to share their reflections.


You can keep up to date with their work by following the links below to their websites:


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