Youth Hub
A third of young people [aged 10-19] said they felt alone or lonely some of the time (DCMS, 2025)
Our Youth Hub is designed to support anyone working or volunteering with young people.
Here you will find practical resources to assist you in identifying and acting on youth loneliness, embedding even more social connection into the work that you do and building upon established good practice.
Loneliness is a normal emotion that prompts us to seek out human connection, just as hunger or thirst prompts us to eat or drink. It is our mind’s way of encouraging us to reach out and find a sense of belonging. However, if we are unable to make these connections, ongoing loneliness and social isolation can eventually impact our health and quality of life:
From mental health issues such as depression and anxiety to physical conditions such as heart disease and stroke.. the impact of loneliness is profound.
(WHO, 2025)
You are uniquely placed to tackle youth loneliness
Those working with young people regularly, such as youth workers, music teachers and sports coaches, may be uniquely placed as a “trusted adult” to support a young person who is experiencing loneliness:
A trusted adult can be anyone: even if an adult does not see themselves in a position of trust within their community, a young person could see them very differently.
(Young Minds, 2022)
Young people may feel more secure to express themselves around a trusted adult in a safe and fun space than they would around a parent or teacher. Regular group settings can therefore provide the perfect opportunity to support simple connections and improve a young person’s wellbeing.
[Trusted adults] are like a first line of defence for good mental health among the young people they work with
(Young Minds, 2022)
Youth Events
London Roadshow (Networking)
Good Practice Mentors: Doing research with, not to: Co-producing meaningful research
Good Practice Mentors: Enhancing your Involvement Approach through Digital Inclusion
Good Practice Mentors: The role of Co-Production in reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness
Good Practice Mentors: Growing your group leadership and facilitation skills
Fortnightly Coffee Catch Up (Wednesdays)
Belfast Roadshow (Networking)
Good Practice Mentors: Creating Connections using Warm Welcome techniques
Good Practice Mentors: Engaging and involving others in dispersed communities
Good Practice Mentors: Looking for solutions in group work
Good Practice Mentors: Understanding how Warm Welcome Techniques can help you reset your group
Edinburgh Roadshow (Networking)
Manchester Roadshow (Networking)
Glasgow Roadshow (Networking)
Global Intergenerational Congress – #GICScot26
Age UK’s Silver Sunday – the national day for older people
Youth Resources
We have a collection of youth-focused resources to support you in your work to tackle loneliness and improve social connection. Included are simple, practical strategies which can be implemented to make a difference to the lives of young people.
Find ways to encourage social connection with guidance, activities and interventions, or sign in to upload examples of your own.
Page references:
DCMS (2025) Youth Matters: State of the Nation
World Health Organization (2025) From Loneliness to social connection: a path to healthier societies
YoungMinds (2022) Someone to turn to: Being a trusted adult for young people