We all feel lonely now and then. Whether you’re moving cities, moving jobs, going through a breakup or missing your friends and family, loneliness affects each of us differently. 

This week is Loneliness Awareness Week (LAW). Created by our friends over at The Marmalade Trust, LAW exists to help raise awareness of loneliness and encourage people to speak about it openly. 

Here at Enviral, we’re proud to have been supporting The Marmalade Trust over the last few years and seeing the joy they bring to others always leaves us humbled. Whether it’s seeing Amy read thank you letters from people they work with, or volunteering at their Christmas Cheer events, we’ve been able to see how much of a real lifeline The Marmalade Trust is to so many people. 

At last year’s LAW event we met Marcia, a total legend. Dressed head to toe in vintage garms and designer sunglasses, she opened our eyes to loneliness. She told us her story, amazed us with how full her life had been, and saddened us at the stories of her loneliness in old age. She even taught us a poem about smiles and reminded us to take time out of our day to be kind to others, even if it’s just as simple as sharing a smile.

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It's Loneliness Awareness Week this week. Our friends over at @marmalade_trust make this week happen in order to raise awareness and we think the work they do is epic. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As part of our continued support for @marmalade_trust, last year we had the pleasure of attending Loneliness Awareness Week’s ‘Be Together Bristol’, and event which aimed to reduce the stigma around loneliness and support people to find friendship.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here we not only spent the whole day getting totally inspired by Amy, The Marmalade Trust team, and all the speakers who took part, but we also got to meet Marcia.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We don’t know how else to describe Marcia, other than she’s a total, utter legend. Decked out in vintage garms and glasses, she educated us about her life, her experiences and about how loneliness has affected her.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We were lucky enough to catch her doing this impromptu poem, which still makes us emotional when we watch it back.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you for your smile Marcia, and thank you for making our day. Who’s day can you make with a smile ?⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is just one of the thousands of reasons why we love @marmalade_trust ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #LetsTalkLoneliness #LonelinessAwarenessWeek #MarmaladeTrust #Sustainability #MarketingAgency #GoEnviral #CommunicateOurFuture

A post shared by Enviral (@go_enviral) on Jun 17, 2020 at 4:30am PDT

The thing with loneliness is that often it’s invisible. It’s also a feeling that can be hard to explain or understand. Why do we feel lonely in a world more connected than ever before? We’re chatting to our mates on Whatsapp or speaking to them on Zoom, but conversation doesn’t always mean connection. Even in a world so full of technology, it can be easy to feel isolated. 

Did you know that it’s now the 16-24-year old’s who are the loneliest age group in the UK?

Over the last few months, loneliness is something we’re sure many have experienced. We’ve been shut in our houses, isolated from our friends and family, and lots of people have lived through lockdown on their own. That’s why organisations like The Marmalade Trust and events like Loneliness Awareness Week are more vital than ever. 

Due to COVID-19, this year’s LAW has gone virtual with its ‘One Less Lonely Voice’ campaign. The team are on a mission to take the ‘one’ out of loneliness, to signify one less lonely voice. Their aim is to empower everyone to understand loneliness one conversation at a time. By building on our understanding, we can help ourselves and others to manage feelings of loneliness.

Did you also know that there are different types of loneliness? 

Emotional loneliness – When someone you were very close with is no longer there.

Social loneliness – When you feel like you’re lacking a wider social network of friends, neighbours or colleagues.

Transient loneliness – A feeling that comes and goes.

Situational loneliness – Loneliness which you only feel at certain times like Sundays, bank holidays or Christmas.

Chronic loneliness – When you feel lonely all or most of the time.

So, if you’re feeling lonely, or want to learn more, check out The Marmalade Trust’s three-step process to acknowledging and tackling loneliness here, or have a read of their loneliness guide. 

And remember, drop us a message or get in touch on our socials, we’re always around for a friendly chat or able to lend an ear!