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Many expect to spend Christmas alone, BBC poll suggests | Many expect to spend Christmas alone, BBC poll suggests |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Some 28% of British adults feel lonely at some time, according to a survey carried out by BBC Radio 5 live. | |
The poll, of 2,000 people, indicated that 7% of all adults and 10% of those aged over 65 expect to spend Christmas mostly on their own. | |
Men were more likely to say they would spend Christmas alone, as were those from poorer backgrounds. | Men were more likely to say they would spend Christmas alone, as were those from poorer backgrounds. |
A spokeswoman for the Campaign to End Loneliness described the findings as "very concerning". | A spokeswoman for the Campaign to End Loneliness described the findings as "very concerning". |
The study, carried out by the BBC and Comres, suggested: | |
Laura Ferguson, director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, emphasised that "loneliness is not just experienced at Christmas, so we all need to support people year round". | Laura Ferguson, director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, emphasised that "loneliness is not just experienced at Christmas, so we all need to support people year round". |
The charity advises that loneliness can be transient - coming and going at certain times - or chronic, when someone feels lonely all or most of the time. | The charity advises that loneliness can be transient - coming and going at certain times - or chronic, when someone feels lonely all or most of the time. |
Risk factors | Risk factors |
Loneliness can be felt at any age, but as people get older, risk factors that might lead to loneliness begin to increase and converge. | Loneliness can be felt at any age, but as people get older, risk factors that might lead to loneliness begin to increase and converge. |
Risk factors include but are not limited to: | Risk factors include but are not limited to: |
Source: Campaign to End Loneliness | Source: Campaign to End Loneliness |
To coincide with the publication of the polls findings, the BBC has produced a series of programmes and interviews exploring the circumstances of people who feel lonely and how they have addressed it. | To coincide with the publication of the polls findings, the BBC has produced a series of programmes and interviews exploring the circumstances of people who feel lonely and how they have addressed it. |
Speaking to 5 live, 29-year-old Jaabir described it as "a gut-wrenching feeling - you have a void that nothing can fill". | Speaking to 5 live, 29-year-old Jaabir described it as "a gut-wrenching feeling - you have a void that nothing can fill". |
Vicki Waddingham, 32, an accountant, was diagnosed with breast cancer four months after getting a dream job in Manchester. | Vicki Waddingham, 32, an accountant, was diagnosed with breast cancer four months after getting a dream job in Manchester. |
She had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. | She had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. |
Ms Waddingham told the BBC: "The hard times were when I was in hospital and visiting time ended and I would lie awake listening to the sounds of the hospital and there was no denying that I was really ill and I felt so alone." | Ms Waddingham told the BBC: "The hard times were when I was in hospital and visiting time ended and I would lie awake listening to the sounds of the hospital and there was no denying that I was really ill and I felt so alone." |
'Too exhausted to go out' | 'Too exhausted to go out' |
"Going back to work was hard. Everyone was supportive and welcoming, but I had been caught in the cancer bubble. | "Going back to work was hard. Everyone was supportive and welcoming, but I had been caught in the cancer bubble. |
"I didn't know anyone very well and used all my energy at work. So when I was not at work I was too exhausted to go out and meet people or do any of the things I enjoyed doing." | "I didn't know anyone very well and used all my energy at work. So when I was not at work I was too exhausted to go out and meet people or do any of the things I enjoyed doing." |
The BBC visited some of the programmes designed to help people who feel lonely. | The BBC visited some of the programmes designed to help people who feel lonely. |
One such project, the Burtonwood Sewing Group near Warrington, is a group of around 35 people who meet every week. | One such project, the Burtonwood Sewing Group near Warrington, is a group of around 35 people who meet every week. |
Anne Carr, the group's founder, said: "You can be in a room full of people and you can be lonely, but you come to a place like this and it encourages you to speak to one another." | Anne Carr, the group's founder, said: "You can be in a room full of people and you can be lonely, but you come to a place like this and it encourages you to speak to one another." |
Another initiative filmed by BBC North, the Manchester Camerata orchestra's Songlines project, helps isolated autistic children to communicate through writing music. | Another initiative filmed by BBC North, the Manchester Camerata orchestra's Songlines project, helps isolated autistic children to communicate through writing music. |
The government has previously highlighted loneliness as a source of "national shame", and the prime minister is among prominent figures who have taken part in national campaigns to tackle loneliness. | The government has previously highlighted loneliness as a source of "national shame", and the prime minister is among prominent figures who have taken part in national campaigns to tackle loneliness. |
Watch and listen to stories across BBC radio and TV during A Life Less Lonely on Friday and on bbc.co.uk/lesslonely. | Watch and listen to stories across BBC radio and TV during A Life Less Lonely on Friday and on bbc.co.uk/lesslonely. |
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