Combating Loneliness

Last week Sense, a charity campaigning for disabled people, published a report entitled "Someone cares if I'm not there", looking at loneliness and disabled people. Sense is part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness which is attempting to start a national conversation about a growing problem, not just for disabled people but across the spectrum. It has cross-party support and aims to bring about Jo's vision of a country where no-one needs to be alone unless they want to be. You can read a statement from its co-chairs here.

When people first hear that someone is lonely, the image of an elderly individual springs to mind. However that is not the only case in the current climate; loneliness affects young single parents, widow(er)s, single professionals, people immigrating from another country who are unfamiliar with the area, disabled people, in fact all kinds of people. Almost two thirds of British people have experienced loneliness at some time and it does not require much to help those people in need.

The problem stems from a number of things; people are living alone more and often moving away from family for work or further education. Individuals spend more time alone than they did ten years ago and 'physical' friends are being replaced by 'online' ones. There are changes that can be made for the better and it's very important that its not solely left to 'the professionals'

Its important to remember that small things can make a difference, local government interventions can change peoples lives but an individual can make that same difference. Knocking on someone's door (especially at this time of year) to see how they are or include them in whatever activity that the community may be involved in or something as simple as a regular phone call to someone who is on their own (an initiative that Age UK currently undertake) are all relatively easy but would make a big difference. Let people know you're Happy To Chat.

Stockton Liberal Democrats recognise that loneliness is getting worse, that it can lead to chronic suffering and a huge mental strain on people. Stockton North Liberal Democrat, David Minchella says "Its not too late to make a difference, talk to your neighbour, ring that relative or speak to that long lost friend. It might be the best thing you do not just for them but yourself too."