Social, Economic and Health Impacts of WaveLength’s Work with Loneliness and Isolation - Working Paper No. 2665 - Executive Report

Sep 11, 2026

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Qualitative exploratory research examines how WaveLength’s donated media technology reduces loneliness and social isolation and affects social, economic, and health outcomes for vulnerable people living in poverty. The study uses semi-structured interviews with WaveLength beneficiaries and partner organisations, analyzing interview and discussion data about circumstances leading to isolation, patterns of technology use, and perceived emotional and social benefits. Findings cover radio, television, and tablets, including equipment access, usability, safety, and potential negative impacts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatDOCX

Pages162

Reading Time57 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Method

Chapter 3 Loneliness and social isolation among WaveLength beneficiaries

Chapter 4 Use of equipment

Chapter 5 Impacts of media technology

Chapter 6 Conclusion

References

Appendices

Social, Economic and Health Impacts of WaveLength’s Work with Loneliness and Isolation Annie Irvine November 2015 Working Paper No. WP 2665 Contents List of Tables v Acknowledgements vii Executive Summary ix Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background to WaveLength’s work 1 1.2 Loneliness and social isolation – concepts and definitions 2 1.3 Relationships between media technology, loneliness and isolation 3 1.4 Structure of this report 5 Chapter 2 Method 7 2.1 Research aims and core research questions 7 2.2 Sampling strategy and sample selection 7 2.3 Recruitment 9 2.3.1 Organisations 9 2.3.2 Group discussions 10 2.3.3 Individuals 10 2.4 Conduct of interviews 13 2.5 Achieved sample 15 2.6 Analysis 17 Chapter 3 Loneliness and social isolation among WaveLength beneficiaries 19 3.1 Circumstances leading to loneliness or social isolation 19 3.2 Manifestation of loneliness and social isolation 22 3.3 Individual beneficiary experiences of loneliness and social isolation 23 Chapter 4 Use of equipment 27 4.1 Organisations’ use of equipment provided by WaveLength 27 4.1.1 Allocation of equipment 27 4.1.2 Temporal use of equipment 29 4.1.3 Content consumed 30 4.1.4 Prior access to media technology 32 4.2 Individuals’ use of equipment provided by WaveLength 33 4.2.1 Temporal use of equipment 33 4.2.2 Content consumed 34 4.2.3 Prior access to media technology 36 4.3 Issues and challenges 37 4.3.1 Practicalities and usability 37 4.3.2 Safe and secure use of equipment 38 4.3.3 Equity of access in community and residential settings 39 4.3.4 Licensing 40 Chapter 5 Impacts of media technology 43 5.1 Radio 44 5.1.1 Alleviating loneliness and associated negative emotions 44 5.1.2 Facilitating social connection 47 5.1.3 Broader impacts 49 5.2 Television 54 5.2.1 Alleviating loneliness and associated negative emotions 54 5.2.2 Facilitating social connection 56 5.2.3 Broader impacts 64 5.3 Tablets 72 5.3.1 Alleviating loneliness and associated negative emotions 72 5.3.2 Facilitating social connection 73 5.3.3 Broader impacts 75 5.3.4 Inherent benefits of tablets 79 5.4 Potential negative impacts 84 Chapter 6 Conclusion 87 6.1 Summary and discussion of key findings 87 6.2 Looking ahead 90 References 93 Appendices 95 A1 Overview of WaveLength’s donating activity 95 A1.1 Organisational donations 95 A1.2 Individual beneficiary donations 97 A2 Research information sheets 99 A3 Topic guides 107 A4 Consent form 115 A5 Participant overview 119 List of Tables Chapter 2 Table 2.1 Target sample distribution 8 Table 2.2 Shortlisting of organisation to approach for interview 9 Table 2.3 Recruitment approaches and interviews achieved 12 Table 2.4 Types of equipment received 17 Chapter 4 Table 4.1 Organisations’ allocation of radios and televisions 27 Chapter 5 Table 5.1 Summary of impacts of media technology 81 Appendix 1 Table A1.1 Organisation focus 96 Table A1.2 Equipment donated to organisations 96 Table A1.3 Equipment donated to individuals 97 Table A1.4 Individual beneficiary characteristics 98 Appendix 5 Table A5.1 Organisations 119 Table A5.2 Individuals 124 Table A5.3 Group discussions 136 Acknowledgements Sincere thanks are due to the 11 organisations and 14 individual beneficiaries who took part in telephone interviews and to the 16 participants who contributed in face-to-face group discussions, without whom this project could not have been completed. Tim Leech, CEO of WaveLength, facilitated a flexible and convivial working arrangement throughout the project. Colette Sensier, Deirdre Silver and Jon Cann at WaveLength provided invaluable assistance with sampling and r

FAQs

What does the report study about WaveLength’s work?

It investigates the social, economic, and health impacts of WaveLength’s support for people experiencing loneliness and social isolation through access to media technology.

How was the research conducted?

The report uses an exploratory qualitative design with semi-structured interviews and group discussions, supported by sampling and recruitment across organisations and individuals.

Which kinds of equipment does the report focus on, and why?

It focuses on digital radios, flat screen televisions, and tablet computers, examining how each supports reduced loneliness and improved social connection, along with broader and potential negative impacts.

Sep 11, 2026

Upload by Noah