Over the last few weeks I have been running quite a few virtual delivery sessions on leadership. Part of my checking in process with groups is to ask them how they are and how their teams are in this changed work situation. One of the regular phrases that has cropped up has been “lonely”.

At the moment governments are using this phrase of “social distancing” it is actually quite incorrect, we are physically distancing ourselves. Loneliness is emotional. Isolation is structural. We need to raise “social closeness”.

I am really interested in this issue, as I can’t see the current Covid19 situation changing for a while. I have started reading around how those with very remote work: astronauts, antarctic researchers, round the world sailors and so on deal with this. In reality loneliness is all around us, particularly within the elderly and physically/mentally impaired.

A few initial resources worth looking at:

1) The loneliness Lab – This .pdf Looks at the loneliness of being in a big city (London) and provides ideas on how to reduce this feeling: bit.ly/andilonely1

2) Let’s talk loneliness  – A website with resources to support those who feel lonely or who want to help people feel less lonely https://letstalkloneliness.co.uk/resources-map/

3) A PhD theses by Sarah Louise Wright on “Loneliness in the Workplace” – bit.ly/andilonely2

Any other resources that you would recommend?