Is it because you miss working, or you’ve been unable to make friends in your new neighbourhood? Or have you lost a dear companion or friend?

Once you have decided what the main cause of your loneliness is, you can try and think of a way to improve your situation.

• Make the most of every chance you get to talk to people, whether it’s in a shop or on a bus. Ask them about themselves: make an effort to show an interest.
• Join a club or start an evening class – it’s sometimes easier to make friends with people who share the same interests as you.
  Get in touch with your local Age Concern group (call 0800 00 99 66 to find local details) and find out what activities or groups there are in your area.
• You could visit your local library or council offices for information about what is going on in your community.
• Think about volunteering – it can be a good way to meet new people and keep yourself busy. Doing something for other people, like working with a local community group which serves meals to the homeless, can also make you feel better about yourself.
• Some magazines, like Yours and Saga, have pages for people who are looking for pen-friends and companions.
• You could also think about getting a community alarm. With this, you can press a button on a pendant around your neck or wrist and get connected to a response centre.
• Help the Aged runs a service called SeniorLink which you can ring in an emergency, if you are worried about a stranger at your door, or if you just feel a bit lonely and would like a chat with someone. To find out more, call 0845 053 2306.