The Co-op is expecting to raise £5m to help the British Red Cross tackle the fact that more than nine million people across the UK are either always or often lonely.
A new report ‘Trapped in a Bubble’ from the Co-op and British Red Cross revealed epidemic levels of loneliness and social isolation in the UK.
According to the survey, more than half the population (52%) are at the very least sometimes lonely, while only one in five (20%) say that they have never felt lonely. Three-quarters (75%) of those who are lonely on a regular basis do not know where to turn for support, with many feeling there is a stigma attached to admitting feelings of loneliness, which makes it hard for them to seek help. The report showed age was not the only factor in loneliness, but triggers such as bereavement, being a new mum, family breakdown and divorce could also be factors.
Following a vote by its members and staff last year, the Co-op launched a campaign with British Red Cross to help tackle this issue across the UK. Fundraising by the Co-op has already passed the initial target of £3.5m in just a year.
This fundraising means that from 2017 for two years the British Red Cross will provide direct, personalised support for 12,500 people experiencing loneliness or social isolation across all four nations of the UK.
Brand new teams will deliver new services in 39 locations, from the north of Scotland to the west of Cornwall.
Specialists in psychosocial support, called community connectors, will help people experiencing loneliness and social isolation. They and teams of volunteers will provide 12 weeks of intensive, person-centred care.
Support at home services will also be offered in four regions to help people identified as being at risk of chronic loneliness.
In 2017, the Co-op also intends to provide a range of new services, in response to the research.
Co-op Funeralcare will expand and develop its social groups for the bereaved, providing thousands of people across the country with ongoing care and social support.
The Co-op’s insurance arm, in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch, is looking to refresh and expand the network to bring communities and neighbours together.
There will also be support from the Co-op to its staff who may be experiencing loneliness. While its new membership proposition will provide members with the opportunity to volunteer to support British Red Cross services.
“We already know that ageing can be a risk factor for loneliness, but this report clearly identifies how ordinary events in life have the potential to disrupt our social connections and can lead to individuals becoming lonely.
“This rich insight clearly shows that there is a role for businesses, individuals and community groups to play in preventing and responding to loneliness,” said Co-op chief executive Richard Pennycook.
“Having identified the trigger groups, we can act much earlier to prevent loneliness potentially becoming a chronic issue for many. It is clear that a lack of support for community groups can leave those experiencing loneliness with limited options to re-establish social connections.
“Our 70,000 colleagues, supported by members in the 1,500 communities in which we operate, have already shown their support for this important issue by enthusiastically raising money to fund British Red Cross services and that support will continue.”
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