ORGANISATIONS are joining forces to spread some festive goodwill to those in Worcestershire experiencing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.
Throughout this month and January, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in collaboration with Worcestershire County Council, Age UK Hereford and Worcestershire and the Reconnections Service, are working together to highlight the support available to help tackle loneliness and isolation.
Statistics suggest 100,000 people across the UK haven’t spoken to anyone for a month and an additional 500,000 people consider the TV as their main form of companionship.
A recent report by the Jo Cox Commission revealed that loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and affects nine million UK people.
Michelle Clarke, director of nursing and quality at Worcestershire Health and Care Trust said, “There is believed to be at least 35,000 older people across Worcestershire experiencing loneliness, this Christmas we want to work together to reduce this, and to reconnect those living in isolation.
“For an increasing number of people, particularly those in later life, loneliness can define their lives and have a substantial impact on their physical and mental health and well-being.”
Staff from the trust have been donating Christmas cards to be hand delivered by community nurses to patients in the lead up to Christmas.
The cards contain a warming Christmas message and an information leaflet from Reconnections, a service to reduce loneliness in Worcestershire, led by Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire.
Cards have also been donated to those attending the Pool Brook Café Christmas lunch in Malvern.
Reconnections Manager Sophie Pryce said: “It is great to see lives being changed through our free service, connecting people, places and activities in the area.
“We want the public to be our eyes and ears across the county, to let us know who else needs our help.”
Anyone who knows someone who may be experiencing isolation and loneliness should contact Reconnections on 01905 740954.
