For the past 5 years, I have been exploring and understanding loneliness in all ages and working with people to build a stronger connection with themselves, others and the world around them.

I am the founder of international exhibition, Lonely Together, an immersive experience designed to reduce shame and stigma. This exhibition has been showcased at numerous locations around London and here in Sydney. 

I have facilitated workshops on loneliness for several high schools and Universities in the UK and Australia. In 2019, I was invited to Town Hall to share my knowledge of loneliness with the London Mayor to influence policy change, and in 2020, I was invited to the British Museum to share more about my work in this field. Locally, I have given talks on loneliness at events supported by Wollongong City Council, and The Salvation Army.

How I can help…

Workshop

This 90-minute workshop is designed and delivered by counsellor and project founder, Tessa Blencowe. This workshop showcases stories from the Australian and England exhibitions to support teams to deep-dive into the topic of loneliness and the diversity of those it affects. We will also explore the issues of stigma and shame and discuss ways to open up and reconnect. 

If you’d like me to facilitate a workshop at your event or workplace, please get in touch.

Exhibition

Lonely Together is an immersive street art exhibition composed of photographs and audio stories of loneliness. This exhibition is designed to reduce shame and stigma by creating spaces for people to listen to real local stories and by inviting them to share their own experiences and ideas to tackle loneliness in their community.

The exhibition aims to:

  • Show lonely people that they are not alone in their loneliness.

  • Start a conversation about loneliness and the power of opening up.

  • Encourage and signpost to available services that combat isolation and loneliness.

  • Send a message to policymakers and those in leadership positions about what lonely people need to feel less lonely.

If you’d like to feature the exhibition at your event or workplace, please get in touch.

What people say…

  • "What a journey this was, it lingered long after I left the exhibition as maybe I too am feeling the effects of loneliness. So powerful to have it via audio, like a glimpse into the heart and soul of those who are brave enough to share their story.”

    Damon, visitor of exhibition

  • "The exhibition put collective experiences of loneliness on display, which was empowering to know you aren’t going through these feelings alone, especially after Covid. For our family, the exhibition featured our family member who passed away and it was so powerful to hear his voice and see his story brought to so many people. We heard from others who his story touched their own lives and we are so grateful for that legacy to live on. ”

    Carly, visitor of 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 exhibition

  • “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 exhibition was powerful whilst listening to the featured stories, but it also had impact in the conversations it prompted afterward as well. So important that we talk about loneliness with others rather than feeling trapped, alone. Because what I learned from this, is it’s okay/normal to experience loneliness, but we don't have to do it alone."

    Anonymous, visitor of 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 exhibition

Where we have been featured…

ABC Radio

ABC News Breakfast

University of Wollongong

Stylist Magazine

BBC4 Woman’s Hour

The Independent

The Loneliness Lab

The Urban Activist