Local Age UK warns loneliness is increasing in Sussex, leading to distress, dementia and disease
Published on 15 June 2026 08:57 AM
This Loneliness Awareness Week (15–21 June), Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove (WSBH) is warning that loneliness across Sussex is increasing, with serious consequences for both mental and physical health.
As well as causing distress and contributing to depression, loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of dementia, stroke and coronary artery disease*.
A recent Sussex survey found it’s a growing problem in the area too, with levels of loneliness and social isolation rising by more than 5% in just 18 months**. This evidence tallies with the charity’s experience – Age UK WSBH is regularly contacted by people looking for companionship, while its befriending service struggles to meet demand. The charity received 2,457 referrals for older people experiencing loneliness and isolation last year.
Recent Age UK analysis for the South East has also shown some worrying outcomes, with estimates that 360,000 older people often feel forgotten in the region, and 550,000 don’t want to burden friends and family by telling them they’re lonely***.
Helen Rice, Chief Executive at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove said: “Loneliness can be heartbreaking. Calls we get to our helpline can be incredibly distressing as people describe going for days, or even weeks, without meaningful conversation. Studies have also suggested loneliness could be as harmful as obesity, or smoking****, so it’s a health issue we should all be taking seriously.
“We’d encourage people to use Loneliness Awareness Week as the perfect reason to check on older family and friends, and those feeling lonely to get in touch with our friendly, approachable team. We’ve also launched a new fundraising campaign so we can offer more people somewhere to turn when loneliness hits. Donations can help us change silence into support.”
Age UK WSBH offers a range of social groups, clubs, classes and befriending services, for men and women across West Sussex, Brighton & Hove.
Coping with loneliness can be very difficult. One woman in her 90s, who is blind, disabled and housebound, told her new Age UK WSBH befriender: “I put the TV on even though I can’t see it. It feels like I have company in the house.”
Another older person described returning from hospital to an empty home: “It was devastating to come home on my own. The hospital just sent me home and there was no one here.’ Then the difference her befriender made: “It was an instant rapport between us. It was wonderful to know she would be there for me and would be my friend. From the second visit she’d walk in, put the kettle on and we’d put the world to rights. We had such wonderful conversations. I have nieces and nephews, but I don’t hear from them. I’ve been left alone. I’m sure they don’t realise how difficult it is to manage on your own.”
To help meet rising demand, Age UK WSBH has launched a fundraising campaign to ensure more local people can access support and companionship. Anyone who wants to donate can do so by visiting www.ageukwsbh.org.uk or by calling 0800 019 1310.
If you or someone you know would benefit from Age UK WSBH’s loneliness support, please call 0800 019 1310 or email info@ageukwsbh.org.uk
[*] Loneliness and social isolation put individuals at greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. - Cacioppo, J.T. and Cacioppo, S., 2014. Older adults reporting social isolation or loneliness show poorer cognitive function 4 years later. Evidence-based nursing, 17(2), pp.59-60.
Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to a 30% increase in the risk of having a stroke or coronary artery disease. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/social-isolation-and-loneliness-increase-the-risk-of-death-from-heart-attack-stroke
[**] https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/about-us/news-events/latest-news/sussex-mental-health-survey-reveals-progress-support-remains-hard-find-many
[***] Age UK analysis of wave 11 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, scaled up to the England age 65+ population using ONS mid-year population estimates for 2024.
[****] Loneliness is worse for you than obesity. Holt-Lunstad, 2010. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review - PubMed
Loneliness as harmful as smoking - https://www.julianneholtlunstad.com/15-cigarettes