Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage of life, and it is often not visible to others. This Loneliness Awareness Week (15-21 June 2026), led by Marmalade Trust, is encouraging people to “Give Loneliness a Voice” - helping to reduce stigma and make it easier to talk openly about how we feel.
Loneliness is a natural human emotion, but when it goes unspoken it can feel heavier and harder to manage. Simply acknowledging it and finding a way to express it can be the first step towards feeling more connected.
Real story: from loneliness to connection
For many people, loneliness is shaped by experiences that are not always obvious from the outside. As a woman in my 40s, I have experienced periods of deep isolation while living with rare health conditions. From the outside, people often assumed I was coping well, but in reality, I was struggling. At times, it felt like being invisible in full sight. Treatment was challenging both physically and mentally, and there were moments when that sense of isolation became overwhelming. What made a difference was finding the confidence to speak about how I was feeling and reaching out to an online peer support group. Connecting with others who had similar conditions was powerful. For the first time, I was among people who looked and felt like me, and who truly understood what day-to-day life was like. There was a sense of relief in not having to pretend and put the ‘coping’ mask on. We could even joke about our disabilities together - something that might seem unusual to others, but for us it was a way of coping and connecting. That shared understanding was incredibly affirming. The first time someone said they felt the same way was a turning point. It helped me feel seen, understood, and reminded me that I was not alone. Giving loneliness a voice, even in that small way, made it easier to begin reconnecting.
How loneliness can affect our community
Loneliness can also emerge during significant life changes. One new mother described how isolating it felt to move to Peterborough just before having her baby. Without nearby family, friends or a support network, the early days felt long and uncertain. She didn’t know where to go or who to talk to, and it was easy to feel disconnected and lonely. Joining a local baby group became an important step. It gave her a space to meet other parents, share experiences and begin to feel part of a community. For her, giving loneliness a voice meant taking that first step into a room where she didn’t know anyone, and realising she was not alone in how she felt.
Similarly, life events such as relationship breakdown can have a major impact on social connection. After a divorce, one man described how quiet life suddenly became, and how much he missed everyday conversations and routines and how he felt he lost his purpose in life. It was not something he initially found easy to talk about, and for a time he kept those feelings to himself. Over time, opening up and getting involved in local activities helped him rebuild a sense of connection. Speaking about his loneliness was not easy, but it was the first step towards changing how he felt.
You are not alone - help and support is available in Peterborough
While these experiences show how loneliness can affect adults during times of change, insight from the 2024 Health Related Behaviour Survey highlights that young people are also affected. Around 1 in 5 secondary school pupils in Peterborough reported feeling lonely often or always. While this was consistent across age groups, there is a notable gender difference, with around 1 in 4 female pupils experiencing loneliness compared to 1 in 7 male pupils.
Together, these stories and insights remind us that loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage of life. They underline the importance of creating supportive, connected communities where people feel able to reach out, be heard, and know they are not alone.
In Peterborough, there is a range of support available. The How Are You Peterborough website brings together a wide range of local opportunities and support that can help improve wellbeing. Whether you are looking for ideas to boost your mood such as joining a singing group or sports club, or simply somewhere to talk over a cup of tea, there are options to suit different needs. Support looks different for everyone, and the website makes it easy to find local services that support all aspects of wellbeing. Across the city our Family Hubs also provide valuable ways to meet others, build connections and feel part of the community.
Whether you are adjusting to a new stage in life, managing your health, or simply feeling disconnected, there are people and services locally that can help.
This Loneliness Awareness Week, we are encouraging everyone to be more open about loneliness - in how we talk about our own experiences and how we support others. A simple conversation, a shared moment of understanding, or a small step to reach out can make a meaningful difference. Giving loneliness a voice helps make connection possible. It reminds us that we are not invisible, and that support is there when we need it.