Little learners 

During a workshop at a local school, we explored the theme of loneliness. We expected a few hands when asked if they had ever felt lonely. In fact, every child's hand shot up. 

 

Their honesty in sharing experiences was heartwarming and eye-opening, “I felt lonely when my best friend Max was off sick”, and “When there was no space for me on the swings, I felt lonely”. Unlike adults, who might hesitate to discuss loneliness due to societal stigma, children understand it as a natural signal of needing more connection. Our workshop reminded us that feeling ashamed or embarrassed to talk about loneliness is a learnt behaviour, something that children don’t have.

 

Loneliness is completely normal – we are human beings who need social connections to survive! There is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Whatever our experience of loneliness is, there are always things we can do or support available to help us feel more connected.

 

In our preparations for Loneliness Awareness Week and Christmas Cheer campaigns, we asked children to make drawings of times they felt connected, which were made into cards to give to our members. 87-year-old Bill told us “I will cherish the drawings, they were my favourite gift in the hamper this Christmas.”