Let's talk about loneliness

We wanted to let you know about our involvement in Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, an exciting opportunity to tackle loneliness in our community.

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness is a cross-party initiative designed to increase the public’s awareness of loneliness and encourage us all to act to tackle it. Jo Cox MP was passionate about the issue of loneliness and started the Commission before her murder in June 2016. Age UK is now collaborating with a wide range of charities and Parliamentarians to honour Jo’s legacy through the Commission’s work.

As part of the Commission’s spotlight on older people, nine organisations – Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross, Campaign to End Loneliness, Eden Project Communities, Gransnet, Independent Age, Royal Voluntary Service and The Silver Line – are working collaboratively to raise public awareness of loneliness and encourage everyone to act to tackle it. With Age UK research showing that 1.2 million older people are chronically lonely , and half a million people over 60 usually spend every day alone , there is clearly an urgent need for action.

Co-chairs of the Commission, Rachel Reeves and Seema Kennedy, said: “Loneliness is a silent epidemic across the UK. We all need to act and encourage older people to freely talk about their loneliness.

'Everyone can play a part to ending loneliness among older people in their communities by simply starting a conversation with those around you. Building awareness being the ‘eyes on the ground’ to spot it amongst older customers, patients, friends, relatives and neighbours, and refer onto people who can help are all interventions that could make a real impact to a lonely older person’s life. How we care and act for those around us could mean the difference between an older person just coping, to them loving and enjoying later life.'

What you can do

The Commission is asking us all to ‘start a conversation’ about loneliness in our communities and what we can do about it. Loneliness not only makes life miserable but is terrible for our health.

Get in touch with us – we’re here to help. Do you know someone who might be lonely? You can easily refer people to us online or contact us. We have a range of social opportunities for people to get involved in, as well as face-to-face and telephone befriending. 

Tell your story of how you’ve made your corner of the world a less lonely place and show support for the Commission. You could be one of our wonderful befriending volunteers who'd like to share your experience, or it could be that you've struck up a conversation with an older neighbour and brightened their day. Share it online using  #happytochat #Sutton on Twitter or Facebook and don't forget to tag us! @AgeUKSutton 

Join our conversation about loneliness. We'll be holding a little gathering in mid-April on the Sutton High Street, where we'll be encouraging Sutton residents to sit and chat with us, and start a conversation about loneliness. We want to know what your thoughts are, any advice, and how we can work together to tackle loneliness in Sutton. Further details will be available soon. 

Update! We'll be at Tazza Coffee (188 Sutton High Street) on Tuesday 18 April from 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM. Drop by for a visit. We'd love to see you!

Update 2.0! It was rather chilly on Tuesday, but we braved the elements to talk to Sutton about loneliness. You can see our pictures from the event, along with some lovely pledges from Sutton residents about tackling loneliness on our Facebook page or on our Twitter feed. 

Volunteer with us. We need more telephone and face-to-face befrienders, to call and visit isolated older people, build their confidence and help them feel part of their community again. We're also on the lookout for volunteers to help at our social activity groups. To find out more about our volunteering opportunities and to apply, click here or contact us. 

Anyone who wants to find out more about the Commission can visit www.jocoxfoundation.org for further information