New research reveals six in ten Education workers feel lonely

British Red Cross releases new research on the extent of loneliness in the UK. Six in ten people (60%) working in the Education sector feel always, often or sometimes lonely according the new research released by the British Red Cross.

The Red Cross polled over 4,000 UK adults and found that three in ten (30%) people working in Education don’t have colleagues they feel close to or can talk to about it.

The findings of the research suggest a lack of meaningful social connections could be contributing to people’s feelings of loneliness and isolation as in the Education sector:

• Over a third (36%) of people say they often feel alone, like they have no one to turn to
• Well over two fifths (45%) of those who do have people they feel close to or can rely on say those people live far away from them
• 14% don’t have friends they feel close to or can talk to

Last year the British Red Cross supported over 291,600 people in crisis across the UK giving them someone they could turn to in their hour of need. The charity is calling on everyone to show their kindness this winter, by helping the Red Cross continue supporting those most in need so they don’t feel alone.

The survey also found that of those in the Education sector who felt lonely:

• Almost six in ten (59%) said their loneliness is having a negative impact on their life, and 56% worry their loneliness will get worse
• Over two thirds (67%) often feel completely alone when surrounded by people
• Over a quarter (27%) of people said they have no strategies for coping with their loneliness

The British Red Cross is there every day for people, providing services across the UK for those who are alone and isolated, helping them connect with their communities.

Whether that’s providing dedicated support and companionship to vulnerable people at home; lending a wheelchair so people are able to get around following a health crisis; supporting refugees to become valued members of their community; reuniting families that have been displaced; or inviting people to join us in building kinder, more connected communities across the UK – the Red Cross is there.

The British Red Cross also co-chairs the Loneliness Action Group in partnership with the Co-op – a coalition of charities, business, public sector leaders and government who together are working to tackle loneliness in our communities and continue the work of the Jo Cox Commission.

Zoë Abrams, Executive Director of Communications and Advocacy at British Red Cross said: “Loneliness and social isolation doesn’t discriminate.  Life circumstances can change in the blink of an eye, meaning it can happen to anyone, no matter your age or background.

“We all need someone to turn to in a crisis, but the findings of our research suggest that there are many people in our communities feeling they lack meaningful, human connections.  This will be concerning for all of us to hear, no matter where we live in the UK, or with whom.

“Every one of us would want someone to reach out to us if we found ourselves all alone. People who need our help may be closer than we think, and could feel much more connected if we offer them our kindness.

“The British Red Cross is there every day, helping people connect with their communities. A donation this winter could help ensure we continue this vital work supporting those most vulnerable.”

The findings come from a nationally representative online survey of 4,000 UK adults – 266 from the Education sector – conducted by Opinium, from 30th October to 5th November 2018. 

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.

We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives. Text KINDNESS to 70141 and donate £5 to help make sure support is there for those who need it most.