John Baron MP highlights Loneliness Awareness Week

MP: Age UK offers services to reduce loneliness

This week is Loneliness Awareness Week. Research by Age UK found that 1.2 million older people across the UK often feel lonely. Before the pandemic, 225,000 older people often went a week without speaking to someone, and an Age UK poll of older people found that 27% said they speak less to family now than before the start of the pandemic. However, Age UK has a set of initiatives to reduce loneliness, including friendship services, lunch clubs and help with transport.

John said,

“The pandemic has exacerbated the situation of many lonely people across the UK, and in Loneliness Awareness Week it is right that we recognise this and take steps to address it. I congratulate Age UK for shining a light on this issue, and highlight their initiatives to help address the feelings of loneliness that too many people experience.”

Notes to Editors:

• Age UK has written a guide with advice for caring for someone who is lonely, available online at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/how-to-overcome-loneliness/.
• Age UK runs friendship services, including regular telephone friendship calls, and many Age UK branches also offer a face-to-face befriending service.
• There are also lunch clubs, a walking football programme and, in conjunction with other community organisations, Age UK also helps provide door-to-door transport to help older people maintain their independence.