This month, we marked Loneliness Awareness Week.

This Government recognises that loneliness is an important issue across the UK, with many feeling isolated on a daily basis.

As part of my role as a Minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, tackling loneliness falls under my responsibilities.

Loneliness can target anyone at any point in their lives. Across the UK, 50 percent of people report feeling lonely at least some of the time, however, many are still reluctant to speak about their experiences.

The Office of National Statistics found that in Barnsley, 7.5 percent of people reported feeling lonely often or always. Many more in our community are likely to experience loneliness at least sometimes.

Of course, there are groups of people who are more likely to experience loneliness, for example young people, older people, members of the LGBT community, ethnic minorities, those who have a long-term health condition, caring responsibilities or experience socioeconomic deprivation.

Life changes such as moving house, starting a new job or staying home with a newborn can affect our ability to connect with others. Despite the high probability of experiencing loneliness at some point throughout our lives, there is still a stigma attached to admitting feeling lonely.

Chronic loneliness can have serious consequences for our mental and physical health, with those who regularly feel lonely being at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and a weakened immune system to name a few.

At the end of 2024, I led a roundtable focused on tackling loneliness. This brought together stakeholders working in the sector including The Jo Cox Foundation, Age UK, Neighbourly Lab and The Centre for Loneliness Studies so that government could draw on their expertise to set our priorities to support people to lead connected lives going forward.

Local people understand best what is needed in their communities. I have seen the impact of organisations and civil society initiatives that work with local people to address loneliness, delivering the provision that the community needs.

I recently attended two events in Barnsley which highlighted some of the work taking place locally to bring people together: the launch of the Good Food Pantry in Thurnscoe and the Community Shop in Goldthorpe. Both work to tackle food insecurity but also have space for people to meet and connect.

B:Friend in Barnsley are a great charity who are work to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people, delivering 1:1 befriending and weekly social club activities to older people across the area.

Befriending is available to anyone aged 65+ and living alone and without a diagnosis which requires any specialist support. They accept referrals from professional bodies, families, friends, or the individual can self-refer.

Organisations offering services or activities, such as Age UK Barnsley, BIADs, YMCA Barnsley and many more, are crucial in offering a space for people to meet some together with others in the local area, as I know many do up and down the country.

This Government is committed to improving connection across all age groups, particularly young people. We are looking forward to working with stakeholders and drawing on their expertise to build a more socially cohesive society that benefits us all.

Thank you to everyone who gives up free time to support those who are at risk of feeling lonely, and for working to bring our Barnsley community together.

If you are feeling lonely, there are some great organisations in Barnsley who can offer support.

You can get in touch with Mind UK at 0300 123 3393, with the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are under 25, you can text The Mix at 85258 for urgent mental health support.

You can get in touch with b:friend on 07895 725 377, and you can join one of the weekly sessions below.

B:friend weekly sessions: