This year the campaign is focused on reducing the stigma surrounding loneliness through the theme Meeting Loneliness Together. Loneliness is a natural human emotion - we are hardwired to need social connections - but stigma keeps us silent.
Together we can talk about loneliness, understand loneliness, challenge stigma, and create space for honest conversation. To get involved simply:
Download our campaign toolkit full of useful resources
Choose a connection activity or event (ideas below)
Add your connection activity to the Connections Map
Share your involvement using #LonelinessAwarenessWeek #MeetingLonelinessTogether #LAW25
Your connection activity doesn’t have to mean putting on a big event – small acts of connection can make a real difference. Here’s four examples for charity shops.
Put the kettle on
During last year’s Loneliness Awareness Week, shops across the country invited their communities to come in for a cuppa. Popping the kettle on gives everyone an opportunity to get to know each other while browsing..
Display a book about loneliness
Creating a window display of books or items related to loneliness and connection is a simple but effective way to highlight the campaign and start a conversation while promoting your store in a unique way.
Hide ‘connection notes’ in books and CD / DVD cases
A discrete but no less meaningful way to engage with Loneliness Awareness Week might be to hide words of affirmation inside the books and CDs / DVDs for sale in your shop to brighten someone’s day.
Host a book club
If your shop has the capacity to host an event for Loneliness Awareness Week, there are lots of ways to engage the community in your area! You might host a tombola or raffle using donated items, organise an open mic or storytelling session, host a board game evening, or organise a ‘book swap’ between customers.
Promote your event
Whatever you do, we’d love to hear about it. To get your event on the Connections Map simply follow these simple steps. Once your event is added we will promote it across our channels.
Click 'Create an account' and fill in your details
Click 'Create event' and complete the form
Click 'Publish event' to add it to the map
Search for events on the map homepage to find out what's on
For more ideas and resources, visit www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org and follow @marmalade_trust.
