40% of UK adults are single …. And it is increasing in every age group ….

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40% of UK adults are single - that’s those who have never married, along with the divorced, separated and widowed and who are not cohabiting - but research shows they don’t always feel welcome in church.
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- Are singles under-represented in your church?
- Does your church embrace singles?
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At a time where singleness is increasing in every age group, single people are disproportionately missing from our churches. Research from 3,000 single Christians showed that many feel invisible and isolated in church.
In this Deanery Briefing the Single Friendly Church Network will share how welcoming in single people can grow and enrich your whole church community.
The Single Friendly Church Network mission is to inspire a movement that welcomes and values single people in all our churches. We want to help churches become communities where everyone can flourish. We’ll show you how a few simple changes in 5 areas of church life can make a huge difference to single people’s sense of value and belonging.
- Why should churches care about becoming Single Friendly?
- What’s stopping single people from feeling fully part of their churches?
- What practical things can churches do to make them feel welcome and valued?
During the Briefing the Single Friendly Church team will explore and equip you with practical ways for churches in your Deanery to welcome in and value the single people in your communities.
Need more help or resources:
Download the Presentation: https://www.nationaldeaneries.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Single-Friendly-Church-National-Deaneries-Network.pptx
Becoming A Single Friendly Church:
Register to do the free 5 Steps Guided Audit in your church, a practical resource for becoming a Single Friendly Church: https://www.singlefriendlychurch.com/register-your-church-form
Mother’s Day Resource Zoom
Mother's Day can be a difficult day for many single people, but when churches handle it sensitively it can become a comforting and uplifting experience. Single Friendly Church Network are running a Mother’s Day zoom on Tues 4th Feb at 11am.
This is an informal discussion on how to make Mother's Day services sensitive and inclusive, with the opportunity to share ideas and learn from other churches: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/singlefriendlychurch/1466129
Got more questions? Get in touch .....
Email Liz for more information, or if you would like a personalised resources for your own deanery synod, including leaflets, powerpoint or a presentation via zoom - liz@singlefriendlychurch.com
Beth Collingridge
Beth Collingridge is the Communications Director of Single Friendly Church Network, a charity that encourages churches to welcome and value single people at every stage of life. Beth has worked for SFCN for 7 years and is passionate about seeing single people thrive in their faith and church communities.

Liz Dunbar
Liz Dunbar is the Church Engagement Officer for Single Friendly Church Network. She enjoys meeting with churches around the UK and encouraging them on their journey to becoming Single Friendly. Liz is a gifted networker and is passionate about working ecumenically in the diverse UK Church. She is also a pioneer minister in the Church of England and enjoys getting involved in community life in Exeter.
