NEW research by Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, show that almost HALF of the adults in Britain say that they are lonely and 41% say that they feel most lonely in the evenings when they get home from work.

The average Brit sits alone in front of the box for 3hrs 30mins every day, compared to just two hours spending time with friends or family. People aged between 25-45 on average socialise for an average of 3 hours and 20 minutes.

A quarter of the respondents polled would like to socialise more, two thirds (66%) are happy with the amount they do, and 4% said they would like to socialise less in a typical day. Women are more likely to want to socialise more with 27% compared to 22% men.

Younger people are more likely to want to socialise (41%) than older people (20%), and over a third (34%) of single people would want to interact more, as do 40% of parents with children under 5 years old.

On average, British people have five close friends whom they feel close enough to discuss personal issues. Those aged between 25-34 have an average of seven. Almost a fifth of older people say they have no close friends or just the one if that.

How sad that loneliness is so prevalent in these modern times. No one should have to spend so much time alone in front of the TV or feel they need to chat to Alexa or Siri for company. People seem to be losing the art of socialising with each other and relying on technology instead. That’s why we’re encouraging people to seek out new groups or volunteering opportunities as a way to meet new people and have the opportunity to socialise within their local community.

Amanda Watkin, General Secretary for Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland