£11.5m to fight loneliness
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TENS of thousands of people blighted by chronic loneliness will receive help for the first time after ministers finally acknowledged the scale of the crisis.
In a major victory for the Daily Express, £11.5million has been made available to tackle the scourge of isolation that is tearing communities apart.
Some 126 organisations across England will be told they will receive cash to expand programmes to combat a growing problem affecting all ages.
It comes as this newspaper’s Respect for the Elderly Crusade continues to shine a light on the life-threatening epidemic sweeping the UK.
Writing exclusively for the Express, in her first major announcement as Minister for Loneliness, Mims Davies today begs big-hearted Britons to play their part by volunteering, lending a hand and checking on their neighbours.
She said: “Although we are committed to tackling loneliness, we cannot defeat it alone. This is a complex issue, with no one cause, and therefore no single solution.
“I urge the public to get involved. I want people to feel empowered to talk to their neighbour, reach out to a friend, volunteer time to a local cause or take up a new hobby in an effort to meet new people. Not just this festive season, but from here onwards.
“Not only will this make a resounding difference to your life,
HOW MONEY WILL HELP
Based on the Becontree Estate in Dagenham, east London, it will target isolated people including over-65s, the young at risk, carers, those with a disability or experiencing ill health through arts, crafts, food, discussion groups, befriending and life skills.
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The project will purchase a minibus allowing the organisation to expand into rural areas of Cornwall where people are isolated. Care homes are linked with schools to buddy up young people with older residents to exchange skills. It will also work with groups, parish councils and local authority services to identify people suffering from chronic loneliness providing them with support. Money will allow the project based in Newcastle-under-Lyme which provides long-term social support for older people, to expand with a focus on the socially isolated to access primary care. The project based in Leigh, Greater Manchester, delivers inclusion programmes to the ex-forces community helping them adjust to civilian life and those who may be widowed or living alone. Funding will let them continue, maintain a minibus and train volunteer drivers. and the lives of the people you interact with, it will help create a welcoming and supportive society where we can all flourish.”
The Building Connections Fund is the first ever pot of Government cash dedicated to reducing loneliness in England and will target people from all ages and backgrounds.
Money will be used to allow those crippled by loneliness better access to befriending services, community groups and support schemes. Organisations to benefit include new community transport links to support those most at risk of isolation and innovative digital solutions enabling the elderly and young to connect. Cash will also go to expanding existing programmes that harness sport, arts and music as a way to encourage people to establish lasting and meaningful friendships with those who have similar hobbies and interests.
The fund was set up earlier this year in partnership between the Government, Big Lottery Fund and the Co-op Foundation. Grants from the Building Connections Fund, which average about £90,000, will run until March 2021.
Dawn Austwick, chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Loneliness can affect anyone, young or old. Across the country, this money will enable organisations to deliver activities ranging from rural rambling groups and community cafes, to walking football sessions and a social media platform for carers.
“Whatever the focus of the project, they all aim to help people make new connections that boost wellbeing and help to reduce feelings of loneliness.”
Jamie Ward-Smith, chairman of