Loneliness Help and Support

Dear Friends,
 
Last week was National Loneliness Awareness week.  From our work in the community and providing practical help through COVID-19, alongside speaking to members, supporters and the public, we are all too aware of just how common and difficult loneliness can be for those who are struggling.
 
Age UK report that 100,000 older people in Scotland feel lonely all or most of the time. 200,000 will go half a week without a visit or call from anyone
 
We wanted to reach out to members and to remind you that you are not alone.  If you are struggling with loneliness please do give us a call, write to us or send us an email and we will do what we can to help – even if it’s just a bit of a natter! We can also provide information and advice about services that might be helpful, or community projects in your area.
 
Likewise, if you are reading this and know of any family, friends or neighbours that struggle with loneliness, please do pass on this message. If they are not connected by email, they can call for help or we can pop information in the post, if this is easier.
 
We have collated some useful guides, tips, helplines and resources to help with loneliness;
 
Marmalade Trust
The Marmalade Trust is a charity that focuses on raising awareness of and reducing loneliness in our communities across the UK. They have projects which run throughout the year, focusing on specific times of difficulty for people, such as COVID-19 and they work to tackle loneliness at Christmas. They have lots of resources, information and help available. You can read more about them here:
 
Marmalade Trust

Age UK/Age Scotland
For those who miss having a blether, Age Scotland has just launched their ‘Friendship calls’. If you are feeling lonely, or just fancy a chat, you can call them free on 0800 12 44 2222 Monday- Friday 9am-5pm.
 
More information on this service is available here:
 
Age UK Friendship Calls
 
Age UK and Age Scotland have lots of other services, resources and tips for people facing loneliness, you can read more about services in your area here:
 
Age UK – Tackling Loneliness

Jo Cox Foundation
 
The Jo Cox Foundation has a brilliant and very comprehensive loneliness directory available on their website which you can see here:
 
Jo Cox Foundation
 
Mind
For those struggling with their mental health and struggling with loneliness, Mind, the mental health charity has tips for coping with loneliness, and the mental health struggles associated with it. It also has a directory of resources and contacts that you can contact if you need some help at this difficult time.
 
Mind – Help with Loneliness 
 
The Samaritans
If you are having difficulty with anything, from mental health to loneliness, you can also call the Samaritans for a chat, free of charge, any time. Their freephone helpline number is:
116 123
Or email joe@samaritans.org, they will reply within 24h.
 
The Samaritans

Friends at the End is still helping those in the community who are struggling with isolation due to COVID-19. If you need help to get groceries, prescriptions or anything else practical please get in touch. We have local co-ordinators who can help deliver these things, and if you are out with the areas that we cover, then we can still help you find support locally.
 
Please do keep in touch,
 
Best wishes,
Sophie.