OVER HALF OF SCOTS ARE LONELY

Cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll

LONELINESS is on the rise in Scotland and will get worse with the cost of living restricting people’s socialising.

An online YouGov opinion poll for the British Red Cross found that 30 per cent of people feel lonelier than this time last year despite Covid easing.

A huge 84 per cent cited loneliness and 59 per cent that they always, often or sometimes feel lonely.

Some 89 per cent fear the cost-of-living crisis is a factor and 53 per cent have cut back socialising.

The charity is encouraging isolated people to contact its Connecting With You service, funded by the Scottish Government.

It comes during Loneliness Awareness Week.

The Red Cross is calling for the Government to place greater emphasis on social prescribing services.

The charity also wants politicians to target the most vulnerable.

Sandhya Kumar, 58, of Moodiesburn, near Glasgow, spends long periods at home because of health, with her husband at work in a shop all day.

And she admits she was “struggling” before learning about the service. She said: “I didn’t qualify for a lot of the services out there as most of them will only take you on if you are over 60.

“Since I connected with the British Red Cross I’ve just not looked back.”

Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie said: “We are doing everything within our powers and fixed budgets to ensure people, communities and businesses are supported as far as possible.”

If you are 18 or over, living in Scotland and experiencing loneliness or social isolation, call Connecting With You on 0300 30 36 077, 10am–4pm, Monday to Friday.