Reach out with a cuppa and a chat, Cambridges urge

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have urged Britain to “lift someone out of loneliness” by knocking on their front door or offering them a cup of tea.

The couple, who are supporting a national radio campaign to boost mental health and end social isolation, said “we can all feel lonely sometimes”, regardless of “who, or where, we are”.

In a short voiceover for the campaign, which was broadcast at 10.59am yesterday, the Duchess said: “If you think someone you know may be feeling lonely, just give them a ring, send them a text or knock on their door.”

The Duke, who took it in turns with his wife to deliver lines for the recording, added: “Maybe suggest meeting for a cup of tea or a walk ... because these small acts of kindness can make a big difference and help us all feel less lonely,” the Duchess added.

The message was played on more than 500 stations to an estimated 20million listeners during Mental Health Awareness Week, and was created by Radiocentre and the Royal Foundation.

This year’s theme is loneliness, and comes after a study showed it is now most prevalent among those aged 16-24, with 11 per cent of young people more likely to feel lonely “often or always” compared to 3 to 7 per cent for every other age group.

A recent Yougov survey has also found that young people, aged 18 to 24, are the least comfortable when asking for support. Six in 10 of them said they would not be comfortable seeking help if they felt lonely.