Kim heralds plan to beat loneliness
THE sister of murdered MP Jo Cox has backed a new campaign to tackle loneliness in Kirklees.
Health chiefs are asking people to look out for their neighbours in a bid to reduce isolation, which can have an impact on mental and physical health.
They say anything from a simple hello or friendly wave to dropping round for a chat, can help.
According to research from The Health Foundation, social isolation can increase the risk of having a stroke by a third, and older people who live alone are 50% more likely to visit A&E than those who live with others.
Meanwhile, Age UK has found the number of older people who are lonely is rising quickly.
Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, ambassador for The Jo Cox Foundation, backed the campaign launched by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.
She said: “It is heart-warming to see the work that Jo started on this important issue being continued in such a positive way in the county where we grew up.
“Much of my focus since Jo was killed has been on how we can build compassionate communities and bring people together.
“The national Great Get Together campaign which we run across the weekend of Jo’s birthday in June is the centrepiece of this, and it would be wonderful to think that some of the connections which will be made through the ‘Looking out for your Neighbours’ initiative can be continued and we see lots of Great Get Togethers happening in June as a result!
“I believe if we all work together to prevent loneliness and its associated health risks, we can reduce the demand on health and care services and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of everyone, which is why I am delighted to support this campaign.”
Chris Pointon, widower of inspirational Huddersfield-born doctor Kate Granger, who founded the #HelloMyNameIs campaign in hospitals with his wife, said: “A simple introduction can go a long way in starting a human connection and striking a conversation.
“We live in a very diverse society and it is everyone’s responsibility to look out for other people and be kind and considerate.”
Carol McKenna, chief officer for the North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield clinical commissioning groups, said: “Tackling loneliness is something we can all very easily take part in.
“It doesn’t need to be much – a simple hello, a smile or asking how someone is feeling can make a huge difference.
“I’m fully supportive of this campaign. It’s a great example of how the smallest of actions done together can go a long way towards creating a real impact on those around us.” West Yorkshire and Harrogate will receive a hand-delivered ‘neighbour pack’ including a range of resources to inspire and encourage residents to champion togetherness.