Displaying items by tag: loneliness

In the UK, 64% of people have noticed an increase in deprivation in their communities this year. This surge, linked to cost of living concerns and the global situation, is dampening Christmas spirits for many. Major Estelle Blake of the Salvation Army has highlighted the combination of financial stress and loneliness affecting people, with examples of older individuals riding buses all day or spending hours in cafes for minimal social contact. The Salvation Army aims to bring comfort and connection, not just through material aid but through genuine human interaction. This year, it is distributing 76,000 toy parcels and providing 3,000 beds for the homeless. Major Blake urges Christians to reach out to those in need, offering food and companionship, especially during Christmas. She emphasises the importance of long-term engagement beyond the holiday season; the Salvation Army operates residential and emergency pop-up centres in collaboration with other churches. Major Blake herself plans to spend Christmas Day with those in need.

Neighbourhood Prayer Network is urging churches to apply for funding from the 'Know Your Neighbourhood Fund' of £30 million being allocated to 27 of the most disadvantaged local authorities. The government launched it with The National Lottery, Historic England and UK Community Foundations to increase the number of projects which help improve wellbeing and social connections. Recent research revealed that adults are more likely to report feeling lonely if they live in a deprived area and that areas with higher unemployment rates tend to have higher rates of loneliness. Loneliness can impact anyone at any time in any community, and the work of voluntary organisations to reduce isolation and loneliness has been in demand since the pandemic.

Research shows 1 in 4 UK adults cannot remember the last time someone outside their family called to ask how they are. A poll of over 2,000 people, commissioned by Christian Premier Lifeline (PL), has found that 26 per cent do not get such calls, rising to 31 per cent in those aged 35-54. PL has a campaign, Call5, to encourage people to call at least five people they know who might be lonely or neglected. PL’s Jonathan Clark said, ‘Every one of us could play a role in helping a friend or a neighbour, and it’s as easy as just picking up the phone.’

Parents have spoken of the 'unbearable torture' of being separated from their disabled children and young adults living in care facilities. Tens of thousands of special needs children have been unable to touch or hug their parents and siblings since March. Many have severe disabilities which mean they are unable to speak. They cannot communicate properly through Zoom calls, only through eye contact and touch. But this is now impossible. Distraught parents, banned from seeing their children for months due to care home visiting rules, have pleaded with ministers to allow reunions before Christmas amid fears that thousands of vulnerable youngsters are suffering long-term harm. The youngsters are the hidden victims of what seems a callous policy that campaigners say is killing through loneliness. The Daily Mail is highlighting their plight in a Christmas campaign for all care residents to be allowed proper visits. 

Captain Sir Tom Moore raised £33m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden before his 100th birthday. Now in the second lockdown, he has launched a new campaign to get people walking to help support those who feel ‘lonely and frightened’ during the lockdown. His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said the family had been ‘given an incredible gift of a voice and platform to do powerfully positive things’. Sir Tom said, ‘We are in a difficult situation, but we'll get through it if we all join together.’ The challenge encourages people to log their walking on social media using the hashtag #WalkWithTom over the next week. He hopes to raise money for his foundation, which aims to combat loneliness and support those facing bereavement. Pray that this initiative will raise not only money but also public awareness of lockdown loneliness that leads to ill health. See also the next article, on mental health challenges.

Cardiff university chaplains decided to organise ‘walk and talk’ sessions after other events were cancelled due to the Covid lockdown and a decision not to allow people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus to visit. Rev David Sheen said that this academic year is more stressful for students than usual, particularly new students who would normally be able to socialise widely and meet new friends but are currently restricted in what they can do. Many are missing home, family, and pets, The ‘walk and talk’ events provide some sort of normality, with the opportunity to talk to chaplains, meet others, have some fresh air, and enjoy being with the dogs they are walking. Self-isolating students are invited to join the chaplains’ daily Zoom 'bring your own coffee’ and 'drop-in chat'.

Theresa May has appointed Tracey Crouch, the minister for sport and civil society, to head a government-wide group with responsibility for policies connected to loneliness. She will implement one of the main recommendations of a report by the Jo Cox Commission. The Government said it would develop a wider strategy on the issue, gather more evidence and statistics, and provide funding for community groups to start activities which connect people. Researchers say that nine million people often or always feel lonely; the prime minister said, ‘For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life’. Pray for Social Services, churches, charities and community leaders to address loneliness endured by the elderly, carers, new parents, refugees and the bereaved. Pray for Ms Crouch and her team to have a specific God-given anointing for the new role they have been given. See also