Home-Start UK have worked with YouGov to carry out a survey of parents across the UK to give us a better picture of the prevalence, causes of, and impact of isolation among parents. They have released the results of their survey in a new report called Together Alone: The new face of family isolation.
The results were stark:
- Nearly half of parents with children under 5 say they feel lonely or isolated with around one in six saying they often or always feel this way
- More than one‑in‑five rarely or never have meaningful contact with another adult
- Just under half of parents say they are concerned that their loneliness is impacting on their children’s happiness and development
It is something that Home-Start Cambridgeshire recognises from our community too. 75% of the families we support tell us that they are struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation and that they require support connecting with their community. Often this is in and amongst other challenges, painting a complex picture of support needs.
A preview of the findings include:
Nearly half of UK parents (49%) with children under 5 say they can feel lonely or isolated, with around one in six (17%) reporting that they often or always feel this way.1 And alarmingly, more than one‑in‑five (22%) rarely or never have meaningful contact with another adult outside their household – this is higher than HSUK found when they conducted similar polling in 2024 (18%). Only a little over a third say they have regular meaningful contact with another adult (37%). Parents of older children fair slightly (41%).
Some groups are affected more than others. Across parents of children in all age groups, younger parents (under 35) are most likely to feel lonely or isolated, women 9% more likely than men to report feeling lonely or isolated, and parents who are not working are far more likely to report feeling lonely or isolated than parents overall. Loneliness is also greater among parents in ordinary working (C2DE) households (21%), than in more professional or affluent households (ABC1) households (15%).
Nearly half (49%) of all parents surveyed who feel lonely or isolated said they are concerned that their loneliness is impacting on their children’s happiness, and 44% are concerned that their loneliness is affecting their children’s development.
In response to the report Hayley Norfolk, CEO of Home-Start Cambridgeshire shared “The early years of a child’s life are full of growth, learning, and opportunity, but they can also bring challenges and uncertainty for parents. Children thrive when they are surrounded by loving, responsive relationships, when home feels safe and nurturing, and when parents feel confident and supported. Every family deserves the support and encouragement they need to give their children the best possible start in life. Through compassionate, practical, relational and emotional support, Home-Start Cambridgeshire make a real difference to families by building confidence, reducing isolation and loneliness, and helping parents create happy, secure, and nurturing homes where children can flourish.”
What do we want to see?
Home-Start’s across the UK are calling for a new national drive to improve connection and reduce isolation for parents of young children. Government, communities, and individuals will all need to step up to address this growing problem, which threatens the wellbeing and life chances of the next generation.
We will be seeking out opportunities for conversations with the families we support and organisations within the wider infrastructure about what needs to change. Areas which should be looked at include:
- Improved identification of isolation in parents
- Greater support for parents from the community
- Targeted efforts to address isolation
[1] Research shows that the earliest years of a child’s life, from pregnancy to the age of five, brains are developing rapidly and are at their most adaptable, shaped by the relationships and experiences around them. REFS
