As loneliness continues to impact millions across the nation, The Morning Advertiser took a look at how the sector is providing opportunities for connection and helping tackle social isolation.
Recent official figures found 6.8% of adults aged 16 and over said they felt lonely often or always.
However, this rose to 19% for adults feeling lonely ‘some of the time’ and rose again for those who ‘occasionally’ felt lonely, according to the Office of National Statistics.
This equated to almost half (49.5%) reporting they felt lonely more often than ‘hardly ever’ (30.5%) or ‘never’ (20%).
However, it’s clear many consumers know the positive impact the sector can have in reducing these figures.
Research published last October found almost seven in 10 (67%) of Brits see pubs as vital for tackling loneliness and social isolation.
Furthermore, the data from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) showed 30% said they or someone they knew had experienced increased loneliness as a direct result of losing their local pub while almost three quarters (72%) considered the pub important to their local community’s social life.
This is nothing new. A report commissioned by The Campaign to End Loneliness in collaboration with Heineken and Loughborough University in 2021 called illustrated how pubs play a key role in becoming community hubs that tackle loneliness and social isolation.
Social value beyond economic role
5 top tips on how operators can help tackle loneliness in communities
- Make the pub welcoming and accessible for all
Look at the venue through the eyes of someone visiting for the first time. Clear signage, accessible facilities, suitable seating and spaces where people can sit alone without feeling awkward can help remove barriers. - Give people regular reasons to come together
Whether that's lunch clubs, knitting, quizzzes, games, walking groups - the possibilities are endless with regular activities helping customers build new and sustainable friendships - Encourage staff to start conversations
Allowing teams the time to have social conversations with customers can help boost connections. - Personally encourage people to get involved
Just advertising an event may not be enough for someone experiencing loneliness. Actively inviting customers to activities and/events helps give them confidence to take that first step. - Partner with local charities and community groups
Working with organisations already supporting those at the risk of loneliness can help cement pubs as trusted community hubs where charities, groups and residents come together and help rebuild social connections.
From Pub is The Hub's Join Inn Last Orders for Loneliness Guide for Pubs
The Open Arms report highlighted how pubs offer more than alcohol, with their main value often being face-to-face social contact through regular conversations, meals, coffee activities and time spent around others with this being particularly meaningful for people who live alone or have few opportunities to socialise.
At the time, author Dr Thomas Thurnell-Read, a senior lecturer in sociology at the university, said: “The report was guided by the belief that pubs can, and often do, have a social value beyond their economic role.
“Pubs can be really important settings for social activities beyond the home and the workplace, a place where people can feel a connection with others.
“The report revealed that for many, going to the local pub is an opportunity to get out of the house and have a conversation.
“This social contact and the sense of connection and community it provides, has been under threat during the Covid 19 pandemic and protecting the social role of pubs is now more important than ever.”
Just last year, research from not-for-profit organisation Pub is The Hub found for every £1 spent investing in the provision of services and activities in the pub, an average of £8.28 of social value is created.
This was calculated by measuring the added value an initiative brings to society and refers to the wider positive impact an activity, project or organisation has beyond financial or economic returns.
Building on its community services work, in 2019 Pub is The Hub conceived its ‘Join Inn – Last Orders for Loneliness’ initiative. Join Inn specifically looks to support publicans and their communities to become better connected, helping local people feel less isolated and, in the process helping to alleviate loneliness.
John Longden, chief executive of Pub is The Hub and Join Inn, said: “Publicans with their pubs are the perfect place to bring people together to help overcome social isolation and loneliness.
“Publicans are well connected within their local area and can provide that sense of wellbeing. By hosting simple events, social gatherings, and activities that foster connection, publicans are helping to create welcoming spaces where people of all ages can come together, build relationships, and social connections outside of their home.
“We have found that by helping publicans to offer activities such as theatre and craft and art events along with projects such as community gardens, this has helped to bring more people together in a safe, comfortable and understanding environment.
“These activities can appeal to people who might not feel confident going to the pub but are really tackling the issues of loneliness and connection, especially in rural and isolated areas.”
There are a plethora of ways pubs are battling against loneliness and social isolation. Community pub the Bevy in Brighton is home to a fortnightly Music & Memory Dementia Café.
In Kingston, the Pub Run Club, which has been created in partnership with Greene King pub the Grove, has become a thriving social running community.
Glory of the pub
The pub has played a vital role in promoting the events, providing a warm space for post-run socialising and funding equipment such as speakers to support additional run groups, helping improve physical fitness of residents while also showcasing the pub to potential new guests.
Furthermore, community-led campaign Empty Chairs sees host across the UK and globe reserve a table or area in venues such as pubs, wear bright orange and leave seats open for anyone to join, without pressure or agenda.
Co-founded by Dean Perryman, Empty Chairs started after he lost his best friend Rob last year.
It made him realise how isolating grief can be and spurred him on to turn a difficult time into something positive, honouring Rob’s memory and create somewhere people could talk openly while feeling less alone.
He previously told The Morning Advertiser: “The glory of the pub, especially in local communities, is you might know someone to talk to.
“One thing I’ve realised is so many people love to go to the pub on their own but don’t talk to strangers.”
While there’s no silver bullet to solve loneliness, by continuing to open their doors to people who need company, conversation or simply somewhere they feel welcome, pubs can play a critical role in ensuring fewer people face it alone.
- Do you go above and beyond for your community? We want to hear from you. Let The Morning Advertiser deputy editor Nikkie Thatcher know at nikkie.thatcher@wrbm.com or on 01293 610388.
