Loneliness Awareness Week 2026

This Loneliness Awareness Week (15th – 21st June), Age UK East London is raising awareness of the issue of loneliness among older people, the stigma that’s often attached, and the services that are available to help.  

Across England 360,000 older people go a week without speaking to family or friends. And in London 19% of older people often feel forgotten.  

These are statistics that we want to help change.  

At Age UK East London, we host group sports, physical activity classes, lunches, and fun and creative activities, which can play a powerful role in combatting loneliness and isolation. To learn more about the services Age UK East London provides where you live, visit our activities page here. 

We have also compiled a list of other community services throughout Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Newham. 

Become a befriender: At Age UK East London we run a volunteer-led befriending service that runs across our boroughs and helps older people to build confidence, make new connections, and feel more active and included in their community. Gift of Friendships goal is to in tackling loneliness and isolation. 

Get in touch for in-person support and telephone befriending: 

Call: 02089 817124 

Email: befriending@ageukeastlondon.org.uk 

Find out more here. 

Hackney: 

Marie Lloyd Centre: Join social groups, lunch club and exercise classes for older people, disabled people and carers, run by Age UK East London in parntership with local charities. 

📅 When: Monday - Fridays  

📍 Where: 339 Queensbridge Rd, E8 3LA 

Find out more here: Age UK East London's Marie Lloyd Centre

Grandma’s Soup: Share soup and stories, with the opportunity to socialise, cook, and play games together. Free. 

📅 When: 17th June 2026, 10am–4pm 

📍 Where: Mildmay Community Centre, Woodville Road, London N16 8NA 

❓ Who: Grandma’s Soup 

Tower Hamlets:   

Merchant St Hub: Join a friendly bunch for activities, lunch club and exercise classes run by Age UK East London. 

 📅 When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 

📍 Where: Tower Hamlets Methodist Church, E3 4LY  

Find out more here: Age UK East London's Merchant St Hub

Public Living Room: A pop up Public Living Room for anyone to drop by and meet others, a no agenda space for anyone to get a little company and connection. Created in partnership with Transport for London and outside the cable care terminal at the Royal Docks. 

📅 When: 17th June 2026, 10am–4pm 

📍 Where: 27 Western Gateway, London, E16 1FA 

❓ Who: Camerados 

Find out more here. 

Drop In Coffee Mornings - u3a Tower Hamlets: Come along, get a coffee, and have the chance to meet new friends and understand the different groups that u3a has to offer. 

u3a have many groups for members (£15 a year) like walking, crafts, socials, book groups.   

📅 When: Last Friday of the Month, (this month is 29th June) 10:30am - 12pm 

📍 Where: 12 Oxford House Cafe, Derbyshire St, E2 6HG 
 
Find out more here. 

Newham: 

Chatty Cafes – The Milk Tree: A chance to chat and connect with different people in a friendly and welcoming setting.  

📅 When: Thursdays, 10am – 12pm  

📍 Where: 34 Barking Road, E16 1EQ 

Find out more here. 

Newham’s Be Connected Team: The Be Connected Team works to reconnect people with their community and offer up to six weeks of one-to-one support for residents who are not eligible for Care Act Services but are experiencing loneliness. Their aim is to build confidence; explore your interests and help you take small steps to gain meaningful connections.  

Find out more here.