Breaking down the barriers of loneliness

LOCAL charity Active and In Touch is launching a new campaign to raise awareness of their work and how the community can support them and get involved. 

The charity’s Above and Beyond fundraising appeal will launch next week; and it will focus on the impact loneliness can have on a person – the appeal’s launch coincides with National Loneliness Week, which runs between 13th and 17th June.  

The charity – which seeks to alleviate loneliness and isolation in Frome and the surrounding villages – is calling on Frome Times readers to get behind the appeal by giving a donation, running an event, or involving your church, school, community group or business. They are also looking for volunteers to join the befriending service or sign up as a community driver.  

Charity manager, Dougie Brown says, “Loneliness is something which affects us all at some time in our lives. For older members of the community, this can have a real impact on physical and mental health. National Loneliness Week enables us to not only focus on the impact of social isolation, but also to celebrate the support services that Active and In Touch offers people who feel lonely.” 

The charity supports over 300 people in Frome and neighbouring villages who are living alone at home. Demand for their services increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic as people were forced to stay home.  

Although lockdown restrictions may have lifted, loneliness within communities remains an ongoing concern. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness the number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6 – 49% increase in 10 years; half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all; and two out of five older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company. 

Social isolation and loneliness are real issues to many people. Lack of family contact, no friends or limited opportunity to go shopping, being house bound or unable to get active in the community have a real impact on physical and mental health.   

Active and in Touch is changing this situation by supporting people and creating space and opportunities for them to make new friends and connections and develop a sense of belonging through a matched 1:1 befriending service.  

Active and In Touch work closely with a broad range of health and wellbeing services including Frome Medical Centre, social care charities, Health Connectors, Village Agents and Frome Town Council.  

The charity’s team of wonderful volunteers offer a lifeline to people who may be struggling alone at home. Knowing there is someone out there they can meet for cup of coffee and chat, help with shopping or providing some company can make all the difference.  

In addition to the befriending service, the charity runs two weekly social groups and Active and In Touch Community Drivers, providing a lifeline for people living in Frome and neighbouring villages who could not otherwise access vital services such as attending medical appointments, going shopping, visiting family and friends or attending social events.   

They rely on a network of local volunteer drivers who give up their time to provide lifts within Frome and neighbouring villages, including visits to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.  

For more information about how you can support the charity, please visit: www.activeandintouch.org; email: enquiries@activeintouch.org; or call 07539 795261.