Five ways to check-in with the people around you – #HaveAChat


A young man walking down the street

During lockdown, more people in the UK and Ireland have experienced loneliness than ever before 1,2 and while the causes of loneliness are complex, there are little ways you may be able to help.

From a friendly smile to a stranger to helping a neighbour with their shopping, it’s often these small moments of connection that can mean much more than you think.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb to create the #HaveAChat campaign.

Check out our five simple tips for making a new connection in under five minutes, whether that’s with someone familiar or someone new and unexpected. You never know the difference it could make.

Smile and wave

Even if you’re really busy, taking the time to smile at your neighbour or wave at someone on the street can really brighten someone’s day.

Stop and say hello

Sharing a quick, simple greeting is a great way to make a connection and can only take a couple of minutes. As you do your weekly food shop in the supermarket, try making eye contact with the cashier and saying hello.

Have a chat

Sometimes this can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know the person well. But as soon as you break the barrier of initiating a conversation you should feel more relaxed. In fact, people often underestimate just how much the person they’re having a conversation with is enjoying their company. 3 Remember that a quick chat, can mean a lot to someone. If you are stuck on what topic to pick to make a conversation, the weather is always a good place to start!

Asking someone how they are

In our busy lives we sometimes forget to check-in with people. If you have a few minutes, how about asking someone how they are. Call an old friend for a chat, check up on a family member or chat with the waitress, see how they’re doing today. If you know someone who’s living alone, take the time to check-in with them.

Asking someone how they really are

Loneliness can affect anyone, even those you wouldn’t expect. It’s easy to hide how you’re feeling, and with technology being used more than ever it’s even easier to hide your emotions. If you have five minutes or more, take the time to ask someone how they really are.

Making those connections may be more difficult due to Covid-19. Please follow all social distancing guidelines and keep the recommended distance from. 

You can also download this guide as a PDF. 

This campaign has been co-created by Bristol Myers Squibb and the Campaign to End Loneliness and is funded by Bristol Myers Squibb

NOUK2001000-02; November 2020

References

  1. Office for National Statistics. Coronavirus and loneliness, Great Britain: 3 April to 3 May 2020. Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandlonelinessgreatbritain/3aprilto3may2020 Last accessed: October 2020.
  2. Central Statistics Office. Social Impact of COVID-19 Survey April 2020. Available from: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-sic19/socialimpactofcovid-19surveyapril2020/introductionandsummaryofresults/ Last accessed: October 2020.
  3. Boothby EJ., Cooney G, Sandstrom GM., et al. Psychological Science. 29(11): 1742-1756.