"7. Measure what works. There are many triggers for loneliness, including bereavement, loss of mobility, and living on a low income. Addressing loneliness in a local area will therefore take time and require a variety of services and support. But with squeezed budgets, local authorities need to know which services are most effective at reducing loneliness. Past research has shown that setting up local groups around shared interests can be effective, although one-to-one support is also important. One example of a charity offering this type of support is Bristol LinkAge, which helps organise a range of activities, from walking groups to coffee mornings."
The Guardian, 15th December 2014