Age UK Cheshire attends PM reception on Loneliness at Downing Street
Published on 25 January 2018 04:29 PM
John Webb, Chair of Age UK Cheshire was invited by MP Antoinette Sandbach to attend a reception at Downing Street last week to hear about the government’s strategy in tackling loneliness and social isolation and how it is moving forward with the findings from the Jo Cox commission on Loneliness, in honour of the memory of the late MP Jo Cox.
Hosted by The Prime Minister, the event celebrated the important work of Jo Cox, who as described by the Prime Minister, played an integral part in raising awareness of the problem of loneliness. Jo’s family, the Jo Cox Foundation and the Commission have worked tirelessly since her death to highlight just how many people are experiencing loneliness and how big an issue it actually is.
Across the UK, more than nine million people always or often feel lonely, and around 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month. In Cheshire, there are over 9,000 people who are currently affected by loneliness with the majority being over 65.
During the reception, which was attended by ministers, representatives from many organisations and Jo’s extended family, the Prime Minister set out the governments’ plans for tackling loneliness and social isolation, as identified through the recommendations by the Jo Cox Commission and starting with the appointment of a Minister for Loneliness.
MP Tracey Crouch will take on a new ministerial role, heading a government-wide group that will work to create policies directly related to the issue of loneliness and keeping it firmly on the agenda. A dedicated fund was also announced for the government to work with charities and foundations to support innovative solutions to tackling loneliness.
“Loneliness amongst older people is a serious social epidemic” explains Dale Maskell, CEO of Age UK Cheshire. “We are delighted by the appointment of Tracey Couch as Minister for Loneliness. This senior appointment recognises the importance of this growing issue and we look forward to significant progress being made in this vitally important area.”