Loneliness Directory

"Jo always looked forwards, not back: she would have said that what matters most now are the actions, big and small, that people take in response to the commission's work. That's a responsibility for all of us."

Seema Kennedy MP and Rachel Reeves MP

Support for Older People

	Age UK  - Providing help and support in older age, including weekly friendship calls and an advice hotline
	Alzheimer's Society- Support and advice for those living with or helping those with Alzheimers or Dementia
	Contact the Elderly - They provide a friendship service where over 75's can be hosted for afternoon tea on one Sunday afternoon a month
	Independent Age - Advice on matters of care and support, money and benefits, and health and mobility, including to tackle loneliness.
	Royal Voluntary Service - Supports older people in need, both within their communities and within hospitals
	The Silver Line - provides support, information and friendship services for older people aged over 55 who may feel lonely.
	The Campaign to End Loneliness - offers useful guidance to people experiencing loneliness and run campaigns to increase understanding of loneliness

Support for Specific Groups

	Carers UK - Provides support for and connects carers so that they are part of a helpful community
	Refugee Action -provides help and support to refugees and asylum seekers who are joining new communities
	Action for Children - Aiding vulnerable children through services and programs, including how to help children feel that they belong
	Gingerbread - Programs for single parents
	WaveLength- Gives technology to people who are lonely and living in poverty to help them reconnect with the world

Volunteering Opportunities

There’s good evidence that volunteering helps both the person who volunteers as well as the people or cause they support. Most of the large organisations working to tackle loneliness offer volunteering opportunities including the Royal Voluntary Service, Age UK and Carers UK. 

	Coram Beanstalk - Volunteers support children to improve their reading skills through one-to-one sessions
	Do It - A cohesive website listing local volunteering opportunities
	NCVO - A database of local volunteer centres
	Volunteering Wales -  a network of support organisations that offer volunteering opportunities.
	The Great Get Together is a nationwide community event which takes place every June to celebrate, in Jo’s words, that we have more in common than that which divides us.

Connecting with new people

	British Red Cross - Provides local loneliness help through their 'connecting communities' group
	Friendili - A free social networking app for parents of children with additional needs, including health conditions and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). You can find friends near you, create meet-ups, and get emotional support from families travelling similar health and parenting journeys.
	The Coop -  They have engaged in campaigns to address loneliness, tackle modern slavery and build safer communities.
	Meetup - This website and app enables you to find and join local groups that share your interests.

Getting Emotional Support

	Mind - Providing support for people with mental illness, through groups, counselling and online resources.
	Samaritans - Provides support for people in distress or despair. Their most recent campaign is targeting men, who often feel unable to express their feelings.