Loneliness and Social Isolation - The Impact on Children and Young People.

Although society is more connected than ever before by social media and mobile devices, today’s children and young people lack the intimacy of face-to-face human interaction, what they call IRL (in real life). As a result, there is a heightened level of social isolation and loneliness in children and young people.

Loneliness is a public health concern and represents a significant wellbeing challenge.  While loneliness affects people of all ages, it is especially prevalent among children, adolescents, and young adults.  Loneliness is strongly associated with poorer wellbeing and mental health.  We recognise that promoting the importance of ‘social health’ and preventing loneliness can improve both quality of life and reduce health and social care costs.

Loneliness affects millions of children and young people in the UK every year and is a key driver of poor mental health. This is especially important to address for young people who have become more isolated since the pandemic and lockdowns, losing important opportunities during adolescence to build relationships and friendships with peers. Resulting in significant isolation and a deterioration in face-to-face communication skills for many young people.

Young people feel loneliness more intensely and more frequently than any other age group, new research has found.  Two-fifths (40 per cent) of people aged 16-24 say they feel lonely often or very often. (BBC Loneliness Experiment, 2018)

Loneliness and isolation can be difficult and sensitive subjects; subjects that can feel overwhelming at time, but we can help young people begin to explore the issues, to start taking positive steps in their own lives, and even build the confidence and motivation to help others.

This masterclass is for anyone who would like to explore how loneliness, isolation, and wellbeing affect children, adolescents, and young adults.  And, how working together we can reduce the negative effects, impacts, and how we can make early interventions and improve outcomes. 

There are no simple answers, so we work with others to tackle complex problems. Only together can we make a difference to the lives of children now and in the future. Because no one should feel alone.

Target Audience:

This course is for anyone who works with or interacts with children, young people, and young adults. It will provide an awareness of loneliness, the impact of loneliness on young people’s health and wellbeing, mental health, and the changing nature and context of loneliness for young people.

This interactive module covers:

An understanding of what defines loneliness, and why it’s important to address the issue.

How children, adolescents, and young adults are affected.

Triggers for loneliness and poor mental health.

The importance of social health as a key indicator of full health and well-being.

Action planning for a whole system approach early interventions and overcoming loneliness.

Signposting to help, support and resources to support work with young people.

Drivers, evidence, assumptions, and considerations for youth loneliness

Available resources to support work with young people.

There is no charge for this Training, except if there is failure to attend without giving notice, when a charge of £50 may be incurred. 

If for any reason you are unable to attend or no longer require the Training, please cancel your place on the course through our Training Portal or email phworkforcetraining@medway.gov.uk as it allows another person to attend.