Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham) attended the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness Older People Spotlight launch on Wednesday 22nd March in the House of Commons. The event was an opportunity for MPs to pledge their support for the commission and find out practical steps they can take to tackle loneliness amongst older people both in Westminster as well as in East Worthing and Shoreham
As part of the Commission’s spotlight on older people, nine organisations – Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross, Campaign to End Loneliness, Eden Project Communities, Gransnet, Independent Age, Royal Voluntary Service and The Silver Line – are working collaboratively to raise public awareness of loneliness and encourage everyone to act to tackle it. With Age UK research showing that 1.2 million older people are chronically lonely[i], and half a million people over 60 usually spend every day alone[ii], there is clearly an urgent need for action.
While loneliness can strike at any age, older people are at higher risk of being lonely as they are more likely to experience deteriorating health and the death of a loved one. Disability, poor health, poverty and limited access to transport all contribute to older people feeling cut off from their family, friends and local communities, meaning many older people have little or no social interaction.
Tim Loughton MP said:
“It is tragic that 1.2 million older people in the UK are chronically lonely and really worrying 45% of people aged 65 and over wouldn’t know where to turn if they’re experiencing loneliness.
“Although there is no quick fix or single policy solution to eradicate loneliness, there are reasons to hope that we can change things for the better. The Commission aims not to simply highlight the issue of loneliness, but more importantly act as a call to action. Under the slogan ‘start a conversation’, its goal is to mobilise us all to help our neighbours, family and friends – whether it be talking to a neighbour, visiting an old friend, or just making time for the people you meet.”
The cross-party Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, launched earlier this year in Parliament, is supported by thirteen organisations[iii] and aims to not just raise awareness of the problem but to act as a ‘call to action’.
Passionate about tackling loneliness, Jo Cox set up the Commission before her murder in June 2016. In her memory the cross-party Commission is being taken forward by MPs Rachel Reeves (Labour) and Seema Kennedy (Conservative), supported by Jo’s family.
Co-chairs of the Commission, Rachel Reeves and Seema Kennedy, said:
“Loneliness is a silent epidemic across the UK. We all need to act and encourage older people to freely talk about their loneliness.
“Everyone can play a part to ending loneliness among older people in their communities by simply starting a conversation with those around you. Building awareness being the ‘eyes on the ground’ to spot it amongst older customers, patients, friends, relatives and neighbours, and refer onto people who can help are all interventions that could make a real impact to a lonely older person’s life. How we care and act for those around us could mean the difference between an older person just coping, to them loving and enjoying later life.”
People can help by making time for older relatives and checking in on older friends and neighbours who they know. In addition, the organisations are asking their supporters and followers to post #happytochat on their Twitter and Facebook status to create online chatter around loneliness and encourage people across all generations to be aware of the loneliness that can often be found – but only behind closed doors.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the Commission or how they can get involved in tackling loneliness in their community can visit www.jocoxloneliness.org for further information.
[i] Marmot, M., Oldfield, Z., Clemens, S., Blake, M., Phelps, A., Nazroo, J., Steptoe, A., Rogers, N., Banks, J., Oskala, A. (2016). English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 0-7, 1998-2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-5050-12. Figures extrapolated by Age UK to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.
[ii] Approx. 498,000 people aged 60+. TNS polling for Age UK, Nov 2016 – sample of 2,241 people aged 60+ in the UK.
[iii] Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross, Campaign to End Loneliness, Eden Project, Gransnet, Independent Age, The Silver Line and The Royal Voluntary Service.