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We want to talk about youth loneliness.

If you’re 16-25 and living in Norfolk, share your thoughts and ideas and have the chance to win:

  • A £50 voucher

  • The opportunity to bring your ideas to life with support from our innovation team

Complete our survey Get in touch on Snapchat

So what’s going on with youth loneliness?

Feeling lonely or isolated is mainly seen as an older person’s issue. But in recent years, the opposite has been true. Data tells us that loneliness and social isolation among young people is increasing, with 16-24 year olds now reporting the highest levels of loneliness of any age group in the UK. Around one in five 18-34 year-olds say that they have one or no close friends. Young people also report lower levels of trust than older generations, and are less likely to feel involved in their communities.

We can’t be sure what it is causing this. Research suggests it might be because of:

  • Pressure at work and school
  • The cost of living
  • Housing instability
  • Life online
  • Issues with travel and transport
  • Not enough opportunity

But we know it’s worth talking about, because it has a big impact on young people today and could have a big impact on our society in the future.

What do you think? And what’s your big idea?

We want to hear what Norfolk’s young people have to say about it. We’re asking you 3 important questions:

  • What is it like to be young in Norfolk?
  • What do you think is causing the decline in social life for young people?
  • What’s your big idea to change it?

Join the conversation

If you want to get involved, you can…

Be as creative as you like. You could send us:
  • A video or picture
  • A poem or piece of writing
  • A meme
  • A conversation between you and your friends

Prizes will be given to the best ideas and responses (via both the survey and Snapchat).

What’s involved if I win?

Winners will be given a £50 voucher for the best contributions.

And if you want to, you will also have the chance to take part in an innovation programme to develop ideas for change. This means a series of 3 workshops where we will test out great ideas that might improve social life for young people in Norfolk.

Who we are:

We are a team of people from different organisations in Norfolk. We’ve been given a small pot of money by The Young Foundation to test out an inclusive and collaborative approach to policy making.

Our partnership includes:

  • Kirsten Haywood and Ella Firebrace from the Innovation team at Norfolk County Council
  • Katy Rutherford at the Norfolk Community Foundation
  • Rik Martin from Community Action Norfolk and Rebekah Bensley-Mills from Lily, Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
  • Jordan Ayden, a PhD researcher from University of East Anglia

Get in touch: If you have questions about Project Connect, please email Kirsten.haywood2@norfolk.gov.uk or Ella.firebrace@norfolk.gov.uk

Help and support: If you are struggling with social isolation and loneliness or feel you could use other mental health and wellbeing support, please get in touch with an organisation who can help, such as:

MAP Ormiston Families Norfolk and Waveney Mind