Kind-hearted people have told how they are helping neighbours through lockdown loneliness.
Many have shared inspirational stories in support of our You Are Not Alone campaign, which urges the Government to tackle a loneliness epidemic which affects nine million people in the UK.
Mum Sharron Wilkinson came up with the “Give... a Few Words” initiative, in which volunteers write to people living alone or in homes.
She gave up her charity job of 17 years to work on it full time.
And since last March Sharron and 250 volunteers have written 1,000 letters to 300 people in six care homes in Huddersfield, West Yorks.
Sharron, 49, said: “It inspires me every day. An unbelievable amount of people stepped forward – selfless individuals helping others far more than they will ever know.”
In Slough, Berks, mum Julie Siddiqi and volunteers deliver shopping and food treats. She also set up a Facebook group with 900 members on which people “shout when they are in need of help”.
Julie, 49, said: “People don’t want to be a burden. Approaching them and explaining this is localised to just a few streets helps them realise support can come from a few doors down.”
Elsewhere, young people are connecting online with quizzes and video get-togethers. Gig Buddies Mencap in Hull and East Riding matches people aged 18 to 25 who have a learning disability with volunteers of the same age.
It is backed by a £70,000 grant from The Co-op Foundation’s #iwill Fund, aimed at bringing communities together.
Volunteer Callum, 25, was matched with Emily, 23, who is autistic, and has a shared love of films and media. Emily said: “The online socials have really given me something to look forward to.”
In Halton, Cheshire, Laura Bevan and her family spread the joy, delivering homemade brownies and food.
Constituency assistant Laura, 40, also came up with Birds of Hope – delivering printouts of birds for locals to colour and stick in their windows. “It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together,” she said.
Laura, Sharron and Julie have teamed up with the Jo Cox Foundation as part of the charity’s Great Winter Get Together drive. Ambassador Kim Leadbeater said: “People like Laura, Sharron and Julie bring a smile to so many faces.”
