Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness

Under the slogan ‘Start A Conversation’, the Commission aims to encourage the public to help themselves - educating ordinary people on how they can become the remedy - whether it be talking to a neighbour, visiting an old friend, or just taking time to make time for people you meet.

Read our information about coping with loneliness

If you're feeling lonely, there are things you can do to help yourself and places you can look for support.

We have information about how you can cope with loneliness and tips for staying in touch and meeting new people. 

Visit our information pages on loneliness to find out more. 

Receive regular phone calls or visits

It can be hard staying in contact with people as time goes by, especially if you've lost touch with close friends or family, or your health isn't what it used to be.

A regular telephone call or visit from one of our friendly volunteers can make all the difference - even if you only need it for a short time. It gives you the chance to have a regular chat with someone friendly and trustworthy.

Our volunteers are people who enjoy listening, talking, and getting to know people. They are trained by Independent Age and have all the checks you would expect.

If you'd like to discuss receiving regular phone calls or visits, or just want to find out more, call us on 0800 319 6789.

Spotlight on older people

In conjunction with the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, Gransnet conducted a survey on loneliness and the results reveal worrying findings when it comes to the older generation. Over half (56%) of Gransnet users who are lonely say they have never spoken about their loneliness to anyone, with the vast majority of that number saying their close friends and family would be quite surprised, or even astonished, to hear they feel lonely.

Published today to mark the launch of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness: spotlight on older people, the survey also reveals that 93% of Gransnet users admit it's possible to feel lonely even when you have a partner or family, with 82% agreeing that talking about feelings of loneliness is much easier when they are online and anonymous.