Two thirds of Brits admit to feeling lonely

The train company, which partnered with the Campaign to End Loneliness earlier this year, is embracing its role in helping to connect people across the North and Scotland.

TPE is encouraging customers to make those human connections we all need and to check in with family, friends and neighbours this festive season to help reduce levels of loneliness.

There are more than nine million people who suffer from loneliness in the UK and this figure increased during the Covid-19 pandemic as people have struggled to see loved ones. As a result, TPE has taken steps to inform customers and colleagues about support services and tips to help tackle loneliness.

The research also revealed that 50% of Brits had recently reconnected with friends and family that they haven’t seen in over a year and 70% agree that using the trains helps them connect with those important people in their lives.

Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, Kathryn O’Brien said: “Loneliness affects so many people and we share the vision of the Campaign to End Loneliness that everyone can live a life free from chronic loneliness.

“Christmas is a time for love and cheer and so it’s heart-breaking to know that more than half of the UK has suffered from loneliness in the past two months and that some people are set to spend the festive season alone.

“Now more than ever we want to encourage people to get out and about and make those human connections that we all need, and as a provider of travel, we know we can make a difference and our trains can help make those connections.”

Robin Hewings, Programme Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “Christmas is a time when we think a lot about people who might be lonely - and being alone on Christmas day, not through choice, can be really challenging after a tough year.

“The numbers of people who have been lonely in the last two months is awful. For people that are able to travel the chance to visit loved ones is a real boon.”           

TPE has adopted the Campaign to End Loneliness employer’s pledge, providing resources and information for colleagues to access, including guidance for colleagues to recognise if someone may be experiencing loneliness.

As well as looking out for their own colleagues, TPE are also taking steps to raise awareness of the issue to its customers.

The rail provider recently added a series of the Campaign to End Loneliness podcasts to their free on-board entertainment service Exstream, with each podcast exploring a different theme, helping to raise the awareness of the issue of loneliness.  ‘Chatty benches’ have also been set up in their stations, to encourage people to have a chat with other customers when they are passing through the station, knowing that a small moment of connection can go some way to alleviating feelings of loneliness.