Meeting Loneliness Together: How Small Steps and Shared Interests Can Build Lifelong Connections

Every June, Loneliness Awareness Week shines a much-needed light on a feeling many of us experience, but few talk about openly: loneliness. This year, Loop is proud to be joining forces with The Marmalade Trust - the UK’s leading loneliness charity, during Loneliness Awareness Week (9th–15th June) to break the stigma surrounding loneliness and create new ways for people to connect. The theme for this year is "Reducing Stigma through Meeting Loneliness Together."

It’s a powerful reminder that loneliness isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s a natural human emotion. One that can affect anyone, at any age, for a thousand different reasons. But when we talk about it, when we acknowledge it, and when we choose to reach out, we take the first step toward change.

That’s where Loop comes in. Loop is built on the belief that through the participation and enjoyment of shared interests, you can lay the foundations for lifelong connection. Loop enables people to host or join spontaneous, 1:1 social activities happening nearby within the next 3 hours. Whether it’s a walk, a quick coffee, or trying something new, Loop makes it easier to meet someone in the moment, without the endless messaging, lengthy planning or impersonal swiping. We believe that loneliness can’t survive where true connection thrives. And while it might take a small leap of faith, stepping outside your comfort zone to meet someone new, that small step can open the door to something big: laughter, support, shared experiences and lasting friendships.This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re inviting everyone to take that leap with us.

Here’s how you can get involved: Download Loop and see what’s happening near you, right now.

Host a simple, 1:1 meet-up e.g. a walk, a coffee, attend a yoga class together or whatever else you enjoy doing. Say yes to something spontaneous - even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Reach out - and remind someone (or yourself) that connection is literally just around the corner.

Share your story to inspire others to take their own step. Because the truth is, we all feel lonely sometimes. But we don’t have to face it alone. By coming together - through small acts of courage, kindness and curiosity - we can build communities that are open, inclusive and full of life. Let's all start meeting loneliness together. Let’s start by making new social connections. Let’s start now - one Loop at a time.

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek #LAW2025 #MeetLonelinessTogether #TheMarmaladeTrust