Blog Archives - UK Youth

As Loneliness Awareness Week draws to a close, we want to thank everyone who joined the conversation.

This year’s campaign, led by the Marmalade Trust, marked 10 years of Loneliness Awareness Week with the theme: Giving Loneliness a Voice. Throughout the week, we’ve been highlighting the importance of talking openly about loneliness, challenging stigma, and creating spaces where young people feel connected, supported, and that they belong.

At UK Youth, tackling youth loneliness remains an important part of our work to support young people’s wellbeing, social inclusion and sense of belonging. Through the Belong Collective, delivered in partnership with Youth Focus North East and the Astra Foundation, we’re continuing to bring together young people and youth practitioners to better understand and tackle youth loneliness.

Resources created with and for young people

Connecting Your Stories

One of the most inspiring resources to come from the previous phase of Belong was Connecting Your Stories — a creative activity book designed by young people, for young people. Drawing on conversations with young people across the UK, it explores the activities, places and stories that help them feel connected and less alone.

👉 Download the activity book here

As One, Not Alone

We also highlighted As One, Not Alone, a resource created by young people in the UK Youth Network and funded by Family Stability Network (FASTN).

Developed from young people’s lived experiences, the guide helps youth workers better understand loneliness from a young person’s perspective. Combining personal stories, poetry and practical activities, it explores what loneliness means to young people and how supportive relationships can help build connection and belonging.

👉 Download the guide here

Building connection

Connection starts with being heard. That’s why we’ve been encouraging organisations to support the National Conversation research project, helping young people share their experiences and shape stronger, more inclusive communities.

👉 Find out more: https://www.thenationalconversation.org.uk/

We also highlighted opportunities such as The Great Get Together, inspired by Jo Cox’s belief that we have more in common than that which divides us, and our upcoming Standing Together in Solidarity session on July 3 at 10am. This session explores belonging, identity and connection while standing against racism, Islamophobia and divisive rhetoric that can leave young people feeling excluded.

Resources to deepen your understanding

Looking to learn more about youth loneliness and connection?

OnSide’s Generation Isolation – exploring young people’s experiences of loneliness.
Tackling Loneliness Youth Hub – connect with others working to address youth loneliness.
Campaign to End Loneliness – research, evidence and practical resources for organisations and communities.
Marmalade Trust’s Guide to Creating Connections – practical ideas for building meaningful relationships.
Connections Map – discover local events and activities in your area that bring communities together.

Continue the conversation

While Loneliness Awareness Week may be over, the conversation doesn’t stop here.

Whether you’re looking for practical activities, research, training or resources created with and for young people, the Tackling Youth Loneliness website is a great place to start.

👉 Explore the Tackling Youth Loneliness website: https://tacklingyouthloneliness.org.uk/

Together, we can continue creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and that they belong.