Loneliness is a common feeling shared by many, with half of the UK population admitting to experiencing it at some point in their lives. Women in particular have reported chronic loneliness, with 7% of women admitting to long-term feelings of isolation. However, a new community of “lonely girls” aims to combat this feeling and prove that they are never alone.
Charelle Griffith is a 35-year-old marketing business owner in Nottingham, who also suffers from moments of extreme loneliness. Despite being a self-confessed extrovert, Charelle struggled with the isolation of running her own business and living alone. She admits that it can be difficult to share her feelings with others, as people don’t expect an extroverted person to feel lonely.
Similarly, graduate Holly Cooke moved to London to follow her dreams but found herself suffering from loneliness due to a lack of friends in the area. Holly decided to create a community to connect with like-minded individuals and founded the Lonely Girls Club on Facebook five years ago. Since then, the club has grown “absolutely massively” and now boasts 70,000 members ranging from 18 to 60 years old.
The Lonely Girls Club has since expanded its reach and established branches in Manchester and other areas across the UK. Its popularity reflects the growing awareness that loneliness comes in various forms and can impact anyone at different stages of their lives. The Club aims to combat the negative impact of loneliness on mental and physical health as well as provide motivation for people to go out and do things.
By connecting with other members of the Lonely Girls Club, many women have found that it normalizes loneliness and helps them find companionship in unexpected places. More importantly, it gives a community that encourages people to take the first step, make friends and eventually find things they share in common
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