Loneliness affects 20% of people on Friday nights
Commissioned by Greene King, the study revealed almost 63% of those surveyed admitted they feel lonely at some point in their lives, with 39% wishing someone would ask them to go out more often.
And, one in five regularly feel lonely on a Friday night – the time they’d most like someone to offer them a pub invitation.
A sense of inclusion
Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said: “Our research shows that loneliness can impact not just one age, gender or life circumstance, but a wide range of people all over the UK, and it’s surprising to see just how many adults wished they could spend more time socialising and interacting with others.”
The research has in turn spurred Greene King to launch its No One Alone campaign that aims to tackle loneliness in local communities by bringing individuals together to its network, helping them connect with others and gain a sense of inclusion within their communities.
It also revealed that almost half of Brits (48%) believe it’s harder to find people to spend time with as you grow older, 39% said they struggle to align their schedules with others, and 30% feel that they have too much work to make time to spend with peers.
Social isolation
Mackenzie continued: “Our pubs are in the heart of communities across the country and can play a vital role in helping to tackle social isolation, becoming a hub for anyone struggling with loneliness or belonging.
“We hope this will help tackle the problem of loneliness and we are keen to work with others as we develop this new initiative.”
Greene King has also partnered with MeetUpMondays, an initiative created to help address loneliness and isolation and to deliver free, weekly get-togethers at Greene King pubs across the UK.
A Christmas table
The pub company will also be offering a community table on Christmas Day at its pubs where possible, offering free meeting space for community groups throughout the year and events including No One Alone quiz nights, social nights and Loose End Lunches depending on the needs of individual communities.
CEO of MeetUpMondays Ann Osborn said: “We’re excited to be starting what we hope will be a long-term partnership with Greene King and its network of pubs, which are often the heart of a local community.
“We can’t wait to see Greene King pubs start to offer #MeetupMondays throughout the UK, creating warm, welcoming spaces for local residents who feel a bit lonely to meet and make new friends.”
Because you care
The Broadwater pub in Worthing, West Sussex, hosts MeetUpMondays group events and now has more than 25 regular attendees just one year since its launch.
General manager Diane Guest said: “I do it because I care. For some of the group, we are the only people that they may have a conversation within a week.
“It has a really positive effect on people’s lives, but it also makes the pub the centre of the community – which I believe is where we should be.”
