• New research reveals widespread loneliness among UK parents
• Nearly half of parents of babies/pre-schoolers say they feel lonely or isolated 
• More than one‑in‑five rarely or never have meaningful contact with another adult
• Call for new national drive to address parents at risk of isolation

A new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Home-Start UK highlights the scale of loneliness and isolation among UK parents of babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, with significant implications for both parental wellbeing and children’s development.

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 (21%) rarely or never have meaningful contact with another adult outside their household – this is higher than we found when we conducted similar polling in 2024 (18%).  Only a little over a third say they have regular meaningful contact with another adult (36%). 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%).

Impacts of isolation on children’s life chances

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.

Parents’ feelings of isolation are undermining their mental wellbeing and outlook. This can have profound effects on their ability to be responsive to their children’ needs and navigate difficult challenges at a critical moment for brain development.[1] One in three parents (33%) who often feel lonely say that they feel negative about the future, compared to just 15% of those who never feel lonely.¹

Pressures driving isolation in parents

The survey identifies a clear set of drivers behind parental loneliness, with financial strain, lack of time and distance from family and friends emerging as the dominant factors:

• Cost of living - High cost of living was cited as a factor by over two-in-five (44%) parents,
• Lack of time – lack of time for personal interests and lack of time to spend with friends were cited by over third of parents (38% and 34% respectively).¹
• Physical distance – physical distance from family and friends was cited as a factor by over a third of parents with children aged under 5 (35%).

Parents supported by Home-Start tell us daily of the pressures driving loneliness and isolation.

Gina from Camden, said: “We’d not long moved to London so my husband could be closer to his family and community. We were closer to them, but still not close enough. I didn’t have any friends nearby or any family support of my own, and my mental health was at its lowest point. Most days, I didn’t leave the house. I stayed in my pyjamas all the time, and didn’t brush my hair, I didn’t see the point.”

Becci from Wiltshire, told us: “I used to feel like my world was shrinking to the four walls of our little house. My husband works full-time, and I was with the children on my own daily. I was exhausted, frightened to go out, and convinced everyone was judging me.”

Craig from Stroud, said: “I felt isolated. We don’t have a big local support network, most of our friends are in the military and live far away. I needed somewhere safe, where I could talk without being judged.”

Home-Start are calling for a new national conversation on isolation

The results of the survey are highlighted in a report released by Home-Start UK today called: Together Alone: The new face of family isolation. Home-Start is today 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.  At Home-Start we will be starting conversations with the families we support about what needs to change. Areas which should be looked at include:

• Improved identification of isolation in parents. Can we build capacity and set clearer expectations on professionals and those working with families to identify where isolation is a risk or an issue?
• Greater support for parents from the community. Community organisations, such as Home-Start, which use relational, compassionate trusted support to directly connect with families where they are, must be seen as an essential service. How can these be built more systematically into the national roll-out of Best Start in Life Family Hubs?
• Targeted efforts to address isolation. What more can be done to build community for parents in areas of double disadvantage - economically disadvantaged and where there is low social capital?

Jodie Reed, co-CEO for Home-Start UK said:

"These early years are a time of both great opportunity and vulnerability. Children thrive when they experience warm, responsive and nurturing relationships, when their home environment supports their development, and when parents feel confident and supported in their role. Giving every child the best start in life means ensuring parents are not left to navigate these challenges alone, but are surrounded by the support and connection they need to nurture their baby and children's development."

Natalie Acton, Co-CEO for Home-Start UK added:

"Home-Start believes that as a society we should be building a compassionate community around all parents. We need a society that understands the power of human connection that provides safety for families facing isolation, and that supports people to make those connections at times of stress and difficulty. Without real investment in community-based relational support, parental isolation will continue to grow. The costs will be felt not only in parental mental health but in children's health, learning and wellbeing."