London is Lonely

London is Lonely was created in 2017 by counsellor and author, Tessa Blencowe and art director and photographer, Irene Palacio.

It was piloted at the Loneliness Lab Innovation Sprint and was further developed with the support of Lendlease, International Quater London and an additional 114 backers from around the world, via Chuffed Crowdfunding.

The exhibition was featured at the London Conference at The Royal Institution, The Great Get Together in Olympic Park, Endeavour Square in Stratford and several private events for the Loneliness Lab, Workable, and Lendlease. London is Lonely was published in numerous publications including, BBC4 Woman’s Hour, Stylist Magazine and The Independent. 

London is Lonely features 35 stories of people living in London and generated hundreds more from those who visited.

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Our impact in London…

62% of respondents said they hardly ever or never spoke about loneliness before the exhibition.

98% of respondents said they spoke about loneliness to 1 person or more after the exhibition.

93% of respondents said they were more likely to speak up about their own feeling of loneliness as a result of hearing other people’s stories.

  • "I was particularly impressed with the quality of the exhibition and the fact that this issue was being raised in such an engaging way at a community event."

    Tristram Hunt, Director of V&A Museum, London

  • “This project is just so important. People need to hear this. People need to hear it from other people. People need to step up and say it so that everyone else can feel okay to admit it. Because most people feel lonely, at least sometimes, and some people all of the time. Allowing myself to be vulnerable and to share brings me some sort of healing as well, and at the same time has a positive impact on someone else. And that’s a really nice feeling.”

    Jo, featured in the exhibition

  • "The set up was extremely powerful. I felt close to the people who were sharing their loneliness and felt a strong emotional reaction at their stories.”

    Priya, visitor of the exhibition

  • "It was liberating to express my loneliness without feeling like the only one. As a result of this I felt comfortable enough to contact my GP and deal with my problems. Thank you.”

    Anonymous, visitor of the exhibition