Television and radio presenter Dermot O'Leary has announced his support for the work of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness and the charities involved, including Independent Age and Royal Voluntary Service.
Speaking about the Jo Cox Commission, which aims to tackle loneliness in people of all ages, Dermot O'Leary said:
"I'm a very lucky man, I have a group of family and friends who I can always turn to, for company, for advice, for counsel. Any loneliness I do suffer is temporary and fleeting, like I said, lucky. It's right and vital that loneliness and depression are actually being talked about as a real condition that people suffer and endure. There are so many great programmes out there to help people stay connected, like the ones run by Independent Age and Royal Voluntary Service, and the great work of the Jo Cox Commission will mean more people are able to access them than ever before.”
The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness will work to address the impact loneliness has on so many different sections of society. It focuses on the positive action we can all take to recognise it, build connections and help ourselves and/or others.
The Commission aims not simply to highlight the problem, but more importantly to act as a "call to action”. With the message ‘Start a Conversation’, the Commission will try to get people talking at all levels - whether chatting to a neighbour, visiting an old friend, or just making time for the people they meet. The Commission will also target businesses and employer organisations and look at what action local and national Government can take to combat loneliness.