Alison Webster – Social responsibility adviser at the Diocese of Oxford

Human beings are designed to connect, but it seems we are not doing enough of it.

The result? Loneliness.

As distinct from being alone, loneliness can be defined as a lack of intimate and meaningful interactions with others.

Loneliness means not feeling part of the world. You might be surrounded by people but still feel lonely.

In our evolutionary history, we needed each other to survive.

Not connecting with others goes against the grain of our humanity and makes us feel unsafe – rejected, even. This induces stress, especially when the experience of loneliness is chronic, not just brought about by temporary circumstances such as leaving home or breaking up with a partner.

It should not surprise us then that there is a direct biological link between loneliness and ill health.

It is implicated in high blood pressure, a compromised immune system and depression. It is twice as bad for us as obesity.

It is ironic that in an age of "social" media, loneliness is on the increase.

The internet promises contact but it is far from a safe space and Facebook and other social media can have a negative impact of people’s self-esteem.

A survey in 2014 by the Office of National Statistics revealed that Britons are less likely to have strong friendships or know their neighbours than anywhere else in Europe.

The stereotype is that loneliness mainly affects older people, but 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed by the Mental Health Foundation in 2010 were more likely to often feel lonely, to worry about feeling alone and to feel depressed because of loneliness, than the over 55s.

Older people may experience loneliness because of increased mobility problems and loss of friendship networks, and people who feel discriminated against are more likely to feel lonely than those who don’t.

It seems, then, that loneliness doesn’t just happen, but is caused by the way our society works.

A recent report by the Church Urban Fund (Church in Action: A National Survey of church-based social action) states that, ‘Loneliness is seen as the most significant social problem in local communities – cited by 64 per cent of church leaders.’ A Justice Forum entitled "Loneliness: accident or injustice?" is being convened by the Diocese of Oxford on Tuesday, April 28 from 10am to 2pm at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DH.

Speakers include Sheila Furlong, chief executive of the Archway Foundation; Rachel Mann, author of Dazzling Darkness and poet in residence at Manchester Cathedral; Stacy Bostock, community researcher for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; and Joanna Collicutt, adviser for the spiritual care of older people for the Diocese.

The forum will explore the nature and complexity of loneliness in our society and ask how churches can be good news for those hurt by loneliness, as well as addressing the structural injustices that give rise to it.