One in 20 young people in England now report having no close friends, a fivefold increase since 2014, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Rise in friendlessness among young people
The number of young people with no close friends has risen sharply over the past decade, the IPPR study found. While making friends can become harder as we get older, some people are finding new ways to connect with others.
Call for readers to share their experiences
Readers are being asked to share their stories of joining a running club, choir, book group, sports team, evening class or another community specifically to meet people. Others may have used an app to find friends, started their own group or made a conscious effort to talk to strangers.
Those responding are invited to explain what prompted them to do it, how they found the experience, whether they have made lasting friendships and what advice they would give to other adults hoping to meet new people.
How to share your story
Responses can be shared using the provided form. Participants must be 18 or over and may contribute anonymously if they wish. Submissions are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to the contributions. Personal data will only be used for the purpose of the feature and will be deleted when no longer required.
