The loneliness epidemic is sweeping our nation in the most devastating way, affecting many older people and limiting their later life flourishing. Alex Drew from our partner charity Faith in Later Life looks at what Christians can do to help

For some people loneliness is experienced emotionally – feeling the absence of meaningful relationships, for others it’s social – not having the quality of relationships, and for some loneliness is existential – feeling very much separated from others and the world.

Loneliness can also be experienced in different ways; for some people loneliness comes and goes, for others it occurs on certain days or in certain seasons, and others still experience loneliness most or all the time.

It’s true that you don’t have to be old to be lonely, but when you add to loneliness living alone, bereavement, digital exclusion, increasing health issues, living in a rural area, and pensioner poverty, all set in a climate of societal ageism, loneliness, which can seem so benign, can have serious consequences, even increasing the risk of premature death.

This shouldn’t surprise us, God made us to be relational – as early in the Bible as Genesis 2, God declares that it’s not good for man to be alone, and so it’s no wonder people are dying of loneliness in our ever-disconnected society.

Recent research from the University of Glasgow has revealed that as little as one visit from a loved one every month can increase a lonely person’s lifespan. But not everyone has loved ones living nearby, and the reality is that some older people go weeks without talking with others.

Pubs and other community hubs play a vital role in helping lonely people feel connected. A Dutch supermarket has introduced slow checkouts for lonely older people who want someone to talk to, and I see first-hand in my local supermarket here in the UK how these connections bring much joy to older people.

But of course, many of these interactions are brief, surface-level, and in-the-moment. It’s in the church that people can be fully known and embraced into a loving family, find purpose, experience belonging, and be introduced to the ultimate eternal solution to loneliness, Jesus Christ.

Churches and Christian communities are well experienced and biblically motivated to welcome the lonely, and regardless of the original intention behind most seniors’ ministries, we know that helping people to feel less lonely is a key outcome of their endeavours.

And it’s not just the guests who benefit. In church, Christians of all ages and abilities can be engaged in ministry work, living out their lifelong and irrevocable call to make disciples, being part of a team, making friends across the generations, growing in their relationship with Jesus, and reducing their own loneliness in the process.

In a society that’s crying out for human relationships churches have an incredible opportunity to throw the doors wide open throughout the week, to offer hospitality, friendship, and an introduction to the Good News of Jesus.

We see many churches do just that, welcoming older people into church on Sundays, and again on weekdays for special seniors’ events, coffee mornings, Alpha courses, craft groups, and Warm Spaces. I’ve recently heard of two widows who discovered a knitting group at their local church – these two are now firmly part of the group where they’ve found friendship, purpose, and something wonderful to look forward to each week.

Some churches also offer telephone befriending opportunities, home visits, and worship services in care homes for those who can no longer come to church.

Our work at Faith in Later Life is in part to mobilise churches to combat the loneliness epidemic among seniors, and so we equip churches to do this lifegiving work as well as possible through our network of 1000 Church Champions by providing resources, training, support and prayer.

Daily Hope
Faith in Later Life is also delighted to offer the free phone line service Daily Hope (available any time, on 0800 804 8044) to support older people, especially those who are not able to participate with church life in person, and who are not able to access online provision.