Understand
Young people take up bell-ringing to make connections and combat loneliness
Overview
An increasing number of young people, including university students like 19-year-old Katie Anderson, are taking up bell-ringing as a social hobby to build friendships, learn new skills, and spend less time on screens. Despite misconceptions that the tradition is exclusively for older generations, advocates and organisations like the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers note that the activity provides significant mental health, social, and intergenerational benefits.
Key points
- Nineteen-year-old Katie Anderson joined the bell-ringing society at the University of Lincoln to make friends and reduce screen time.
- Bell-ringers and experts highlight that the hobby offers face-to-face socialisation and helps combat loneliness among young people.
- John Bennett, a 94-year-old tower captain in Lincolnshire, has been involved in bell-ringing for 80 years and encourages more youth participation.
- The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) recently launched a Young Bell Ringers Hub to attract younger members and provide support.
- There are approximately 40,000 bell-ringers in the UK, fostering a sense of community and intergenerational connection.