To mark Loneliness Awareness Week Louise Blezzard, founder and chief executive of luxury home care provider Venelle, offers advice for combatting isolation

As we mark Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15 June), we’re reminded of a quiet epidemic that continues to shape lives behind closed doors. For many receiving home care, the struggle with loneliness is not simply about being alone – it’s about feeling disconnected. At Venelle, we believe that companionship is not just a feature of care, but its very foundation.

According to Age UK’s December 2024 report, 1.4 million older people in the UK live with chronic loneliness. One in three people aged over 65 say it negatively affects their health. For those living alone, the emotional weight of isolation can be debilitating – highlighting the essential role of caregivers in bridging that gap.

But what does meaningful companionship look like in practice?

At Venelle, we see it as a deeply personal commitment – it’s about being seen, heard and truly known. When care is approached with empathy and emotional intelligence, it becomes transformative.

Here are six ways caregivers can gently but powerfully nurture that transformation:

Curated social outings
Moments of shared experience – be it a local theatre matinee, a walk through public gardens, or an art exhibition – create not only joy but also the opportunity to form bonds. Outings that reflect individual interests turn social connection into something meaningful and restorative.

Collaborative challenges
Whether it’s a shared gardening project, a weekly fitness goal, or a cooking class, purposeful group activity fosters camaraderie. Tailoring these to individual ability ensures everyone can participate, building confidence and connection in equal measure.

Connection through technology
Used with sensitivity and intention, technology can be a lifeline. Video calls with family, virtual concerts or even immersive virtual reality experiences can open doors that geography once closed. With the right support, tech doesn’t isolate – it unites.

Pen pal projects
The elegance of a handwritten letter offers a different kind of companionship. Starting a pen pal scheme invites care recipients to share stories, exchange thoughts and rediscover the simple joy of receiving a letter through the post.

Book clubs that go beyond books
Virtual or in-person, a book club invites storytelling, debate, laughter and community. A shared narrative becomes the bridge to deeper connection – stimulating the mind while soothing the soul.

The power of the simple phone call
Connection doesn’t always require grandeur. A regular phone check-in – whether with a caregiver or volunteer – can uplift, reassure and remind someone that they matter. These moments, though fleeting, can be profound.

At Venelle, we understand that emotional wellbeing is inseparable from quality of life. Our caregivers are trained not just to assist, but to engage – to bring warmth, humour and humanity into every interaction.

This Loneliness Awareness Week, let us remember: the antidote to loneliness isn’t simply company – it’s connection. And when care is delivered with empathy and intention, that connection becomes life-enhancing.