... and archbishop urges Britons to get connected

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has called on millions of Britons to become heroes just by picking up the phone.

He will today suggest a national New Year’s resolution to talk to lonely strangers or reconnect with old friends.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby says: ‘Pick one person. Pick up the phone. Send them a text. Meet them for a cup of tea. Make that connection.’

The number of people living alone in Britain has passed eight million. Loneliness has been exacerbated by youngsters relying on social media, while the elderly are vulnerable to the effects of family break-ups. Archbishop Welby says that he has been inspired by the heroism of RNLI volunteers at Dover lifeboat station in his diocese.

‘We rightly think of lifeboat crews as heroic, although they may be embarrassed to hear that. Yet every time we reach out and connect with someone, it is an act of heroism,’ he says. ‘It could be someone you know. It could be someone you’ve always wanted to connect with but never have. It could be someone you really disagree with.

‘Let’s go for a heroic New Year’s resolution. Let’s resolve to reconnect.’