In an innovative effort to address loneliness and health anxiety, Michael Helps, founder of Loneliness UK, has turned to TikTok as a platform to reach a broader audience. This initiative, based in Burnley, aims to provide support for individuals experiencing isolation across all age groups.
Originally established as a letter-writing service, Loneliness UK encourages members of the public to connect with elderly individuals through written correspondence. Three years into its operation, Helps remains committed to combating loneliness, despite facing various challenges along the way. He stated, “My journey with Loneliness UK has been challenging with many ups and downs, but I still strive to make Loneliness UK a household name to support those in time of need.”
The organization continues to invite anyone feeling lonely to reach out. Helps emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences, saying, “We are still urging anyone who is suffering with loneliness to pick up a pen and paper and write to us and tell us about their day. This can be done online or by post; no one should ever feel alone. We are here to support and listen.”
While Helps values the traditional letter-writing method, he has adapted to modern communication trends to expand his outreach. In the past three months, he has joined TikTok, sharing his personal experiences regarding loneliness and loss. One of his videos garnered over 24,000 views and attracted 133 comments from individuals across the UK, showcasing the heartfelt responses from viewers he had never met.
As he travels around the UK, Helps has committed to producing videos on various topics, from grief to health anxiety, in hopes of connecting with those who need someone to talk to. He funds the entire initiative out of his own pocket, but to sustain the free service, he has launched a GoFundMe page. “Loneliness UK will never become a service that people who are suffering with loneliness will have to pay for,” he asserted.
Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a significant global public health concern, comparable to issues such as obesity and smoking. Its negative impacts on both physical and mental health are particularly pronounced among young people. Helps highlights that Loneliness UK remains accessible to all ages and is free of charge, stating, “All you need is a pen, paper, envelope, and stamp.”
For additional information about Loneliness UK, visit their official website at https://www.lonelinessuk.com/.
