In the UK loneliness is fast becoming one of the biggest risks factors affecting peoples’ mental and physical health. A study by The Co-op and the British Red Cross reveals over 9 million people in the UK across all adult ages, more than the population of London, are either always or often lonely.
To raise awareness of this, Loneliness Awareness Week took place between 17th-21st June, highlighting the volume of people experiencing loneliness or isolation and ensuring people know where to seek the appropriate help in their communities.
As part of this nation-wide initiative Loneliness Minister Mims Davies launched a new campaign entitled, ‘Let’s Talk Loneliness’, tackling the negative stigma surrounding it and encouraging people to speak out and break down barriers.
Let’s Talk Loneliness
‘Let’s Talk Loneliness’ brings together charities, organisations and businesses including: The Marmalade Trust, the Co-op Foundation, the British Red Cross, the Campaign to End Loneliness, Mind, Public Health England and the Jo Cox Foundation to help people talk about their feelings.
This campaign was launched as a new poll showed not wanting to burden others as the main barrier preventing people talking about their feelings of loneliness. For more information about the campaign, please click here.
As the problem of loneliness and isolation becomes more prevalent, there is an extensive number of services in the community helping to break down the stigma and connect people together.
How can we help prevent and reduce loneliness in Guildford and Waverley?
At Community Point, we can help reduce isolation and loneliness by connecting people to activities and services in Guildford and Waverley that can improve wellbeing. We can help people do the following: volunteer, connect with others and get support from local services.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and make a difference to the community.
There is something for everybody, from working with the emergency services, to helping animals or children and adults with disabilities. For more information about the benefits of volunteering, please take a look at our ‘Why Volunteer’ blog post.
Connect
Other ways we can assist is through helping people start new activities to meet people. If people are nervous about attending their first session, a volunteer at Community Point can also go with people to ease the pressure.
Support from services
If anyone needs support from local services but are unsure of where to go or how to contact them, we can help research exactly what is needed and put people in touch with the right services.
Where can you find us?
We’re a free service based on 39 Castle Street (opposite the Castle grounds and the King’s Head pub) in the Voluntary Action South West Surrey premises and are available Monday-Friday 10am-3pm for a friendly chat about how we can help you. Either pop in to see us, call us on 01483 565456, or visit the Community Point website to fill out a contact form – http://communitypoint.org.uk/
We are passionate about connecting people in the community and want to reduce the figure of those experiencing loneliness or isolation.
