{"id":1424,"date":"2025-06-06T12:08:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T12:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aqipa-pure.klixpert.io\/?p=1424"},"modified":"2025-06-26T06:28:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T06:28:30","slug":"more-than-half-of-brits-feel-lonely-could-radio-be-the-secret-best-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/www.pure.com\/en-gb\/interview\/more-than-half-of-brits-feel-lonely-could-radio-be-the-secret-best-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"More Than Half of Brits Feel Lonely: Could Radio Be the \u201cSecret Best Friend\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Loneliness is often described as the silent epidemic of our time. According to a recent study we commissioned this spring, in partnership with The Marmalade Trust, over half of UK adults feel lonely at least once a month. Despite this, nearly a third (28%) say they would never tell anyone how isolated they feel. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org\/\" title=\"\">Loneliness Awareness Week<\/a> 2025 approaching, this research sheds new light on how audio companionship, especially through radio, can play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dr.lalitaa\/\">Dr Lalitaa<\/a>, Behaviouralist Psychologist and Expert in emotional wellbeing, commented:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cLoneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma. But human connection is a basic psychological need &#8211; one that\u2019s increasingly difficult to fulfil in today\u2019s fast-paced, digital world. It\u2019s encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"><strong>Shame and Silence Around Loneliness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The study of 2,000 adults found that while <strong>79% acknowledge loneliness is common<\/strong>, it remains a deeply <strong>stigmatised<\/strong> feeling. Many respondents cited concerns like:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Not wanting to burden others (<strong>37%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Belief that no one would understand (<strong>21%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fear of appearing vulnerable (<strong>21%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>These feelings seem rooted in weak or absent support networks\u2014<strong>24%<\/strong> said theirs was lacking, and <strong>13%<\/strong> admitted to having no support network at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tara Fisher, COO from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marmaladetrust.org\/\">Marmalade Trust<\/a>, a UK-based charity dedicated to addressing loneliness, knows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <em>&#8220;Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime. But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others -either because they don\u2019t feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Young People Report the Highest Levels of Loneliness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprisingly, it\u2019s not the older generations who feels the loneliest. <strong>Gen Z (born 1996\u20132011)<\/strong> are more affected than any other age group:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>33%<\/strong> feel lonely a few times a week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11%<\/strong> experience loneliness <strong>every single day<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This contrasts with only <strong>6% of the general population<\/strong> who feel daily loneliness. Gen Z also expressed the highest levels of social anxiety, with <strong>25% fearing judgment<\/strong> and <strong>21% afraid of being dismissed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"><strong>Women and Londoners Among the Most Affected<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Women reported higher loneliness rates than men: only <strong>16% of women<\/strong> say they never feel lonely, compared to <strong>26% of men<\/strong>. Regionally, <strong>Londoners<\/strong> stood out, with <strong>33% feeling lonely<\/strong> several times a week or more often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The emotional toll of loneliness is intensified by life changes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Shifts in personal relationships (<strong>23%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial stress (<strong>22%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower self-esteem (<strong>20%<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s perhaps no wonder that people are increasingly turning to <strong>audio<\/strong> as a source of comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-gallery\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"image_container\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-500x500.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"\" \/><\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"image_container\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2-500x500.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"\" \/><\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"image_container\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-500x500.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"\" \/><\/picture><\/figure><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"><strong>Radio as a Remedy: Connection Through Sound<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When feeling alone, many seek distraction, and audio plays a key role:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>52%<\/strong> listen to the radio more when at home alone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>38%<\/strong> use it for background noise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>20%<\/strong> say it gives them a sense of company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>19%<\/strong> say it makes the house feel less empty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Most notably, <strong>16% said radio helps them feel less lonely<\/strong>. For these listeners, it\u2019s more than just entertainment\u2014it\u2019s an emotional lifeline. Hearing other people\u2019s voices (<strong>15%<\/strong>) and feeling part of a conversation (<strong>13%<\/strong>) contributes to a sense of connectedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the most comforting formats:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pop stations<\/strong> (30%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oldies stations<\/strong> (24%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Talk radio<\/strong> (21%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Often mentioned by name were stations like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/play\/live\/bbc_radio_fourfm\">BBC 4<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premier.plus\/stations\/premier-christian-radio\">Premier Christian Radio<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radio-uk.co.uk\/classic-fm\">Classic FM<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/solidgoldgem.co.uk\/golden-oldies-radio-stations-online\/\">Golden Oldies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boomradiouk.com\/\" title=\"\">Boom Radio<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiocaroline.co.uk\/#home.html\">Radio Caroline<\/a>. These preferences underline how radio can cater to different emotional needs, from nostalgia to lively discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pure\u2019s Partnership with the Marmalade Trust<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To address the stigma of loneliness and make meaningful change, <strong>Pure has partnered with the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marmaladetrust.org\/\"><strong>Marmalade Trust<\/strong><\/a>, an award-winning UK-based charity, dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and empowering people to make connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In support of <strong>Loneliness Awareness Week (June 9\u201316, 2025)<\/strong>, Pure will:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Donate 150 radios<\/strong> to support individuals in need of company through sound<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contribute \u00a35<\/strong> for every Pure radio sold (between June 9 \u2013 July 9, 2025) through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.johnlewis.com\/brand\/pure\/_\/N-1z1400g\"><strong>John Lewis<\/strong><\/a> stores and Pure\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pure-audio.com\/en-GB\"><strong>UK web shop<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIt\u2019s great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people,\u201d<\/em> says Hubert Eiter, Chief Marketing Officer at Pure. <em>\u201cOur mission is to make accessing audio content as easy as possible, and we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Radio Matters in the Mental Wellbeing Conversation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While we often think of digital connection in terms of social media, this study shows that <strong>radio remains a powerful tool for emotional support<\/strong>. In a world where loneliness is growing, but rarely spoken about, simply hearing another voice\u2014be it through music, talk shows, or news\u2014can bring a comforting sense of presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Loneliness can feel overwhelming, but even something as simple as turning on the radio can help fill the silence with comfort and companionship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore how radio helps address the silent epidemic of loneliness in the UK. Find comfort and connection through sound.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,68,74],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"lang":"en-gb","translations":{"en-gb":1424},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1424"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1434,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424\/revisions\/1434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}