The Silent Player in Tackling Loneliness – How local authorities are supporting people to live longer and happier lives

20th October 2026

By Helayna Jenkins MBE IEng, Community Partnerships Lead at the London Borough of Bromley

When you think about loneliness, local government may not be the first organisation that comes to mind. However, councils across the country play a significant role in helping residents build and maintain social connections.

Loneliness does not discriminate. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and life circumstances, including many of the groups identified by the World Health Organization as being at greater risk of persistent loneliness. As a societal issue, loneliness requires a collective response. Residents, businesses, voluntary organisations, public services and local authorities all have a role to play.

While councils do not have a statutory duty to reduce loneliness, the impacts of social isolation can be felt across many areas of local government responsibility. Loneliness can:
– Reduce wellbeing and quality of life.
– Contribute to declining physical and mental health.
– Increase demand for adult and children’s social care services.
– Drive greater use of health and support services.
– Weaken community cohesion and resilience.

These challenges come at both a human and economic cost, making loneliness an important consideration for local authorities.

Bromley’s Approach
At the London Borough of Bromley, tackling loneliness has become a long-term priority. Initial discussions began in 2019, exploring the borough’s experience of loneliness and social isolation. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, this work evolved into action through the development of a dedicated Tackling Loneliness Strategy. In 2022, Bromley Council appointed the UK’s first full-time Principal Loneliness Champion to lead and coordinate delivery of the strategy. Today, Bromley remains one of the few local authorities in England with a dedicated loneliness strategy covering the whole population. Four years on, the borough has made significant progress in raising awareness, building professional knowledge and creating opportunities for residents to connect.

Achievements to Date

Supporting Professionals
Bromley delivers free loneliness awareness training for frontline staff, helping professionals recognise risk factors, start conversations about social connection and signpost residents to support. To date, more than 890 people have attended the training.

Engaging Young People

The council developed classroom workbooks for pupils from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5, helping young people understand loneliness, build resilience and shape future solutions. More than 2,880 young people have participated.

Creating Community Connections
Each year, Bromley’s Christmas Card Campaign brings residents together through acts of kindness. Schools create cards that are distributed across the borough to residents who may receive little social interaction during the festive period. To date, over 15,000 cards have been shared.

What Can Other Councils Do?
You do not need a dedicated loneliness officer to make a difference. Small, practical actions can have a significant impact:
– Build stronger partnerships with local charities, community groups and faith organisations.
– Encourage staff to complete free loneliness and social isolation awareness training.
– Consider loneliness and social isolation when developing strategies, services and procurement processes.
– Support social workers and frontline staff to discuss social connection as part of their work with residents.
– Work with libraries, leisure services, schools and community groups to organise activities during Loneliness Awareness Week.
– Use social value requirements within contracts to encourage providers to improve social connection.
– Promote local activities, groups and volunteering opportunities through existing communication channels.
– Support initiatives such as The Big Lunch, helping neighbours connect and strengthen community relationships.

A Shared Responsibility
Local government is uniquely placed to influence the social wellbeing of communities. It is important to remember that every service, strategy and decision we make can either strengthen or weaken opportunities for people to connect. While councils cannot solve loneliness alone, they can act as a catalyst for change. By embedding social connection into everyday practice and working alongside communities and partners, local authorities can help create places where people feel connected, supported and able to thrive.

You can listen to Helayna outline Bromley’s approach in her latest webinar, hosted here on the Hub.