Read: Acknowledging the social and economic impact of loneliness

As we start the countdown for the festive season - shopping for presents, planning our menus and putting up our decorations and trees - most of us are looking forward to a very special celebration this year, shared with as many friends and family as possible. But it’s a sad fact that there are many people who won’t see or hear from anyone at all over the festive period.

Age UK has published new research which shows that almost a million people over 65 will not have anyone to celebrate Christmas with this year. Around 625,000 pensioners said they were feeling depressed about being alone, around 400,000 felt forgotten, while up to 250,000 talked about being anxious. These are the people who were amongst the most vulnerable during the pandemic and as a result have suffered the most from social isolation and loneliness over a protracted period.  

Loneliness, however, is not exclusive to old age. It affects a much wider range of groups, across all areas of society and at every life cycle. The NSPCC-run charity Childline reported that the counselling services to young people about loneliness offered by its helpline peaked over the Christmas period last year, with almost 600 sessions delivered in December alone. Between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 6039 counselling sessions about loneliness, the highest ever for a single year and an increase of 49% over the past four years.  

There is substantial evidence that a lack of social connection significantly contributes to poor health. The Campaign to End Loneliness has said that it increases the risk of premature mortality by 26%, bringing health risks that can be greater than many of the factors that are more widely discussed, such as obesity or smoking. It is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. It also causes individuals to be at greater risk of poor mental health, including depression, cognitive decline and dementia. As a result, lonely people are much more likely to use health and social care services.

I worked with Labour MP Jo Cox on the Loneliness Commission in 2016 and co-chaired it in 2017 following her tragic death. I’m still involved in the Jo Cox Foundation today. Our work is focused on the loneliness that exists in so many of our communities and how that can be most effectively tackled, extending help not only to the very old and very young, but also to other groups that can feel isolated including men, carers, refugees, asylum seekers, disabled people and parents.

Addressing the problem of loneliness is part of a wider levelling up agenda, especially in the wake of the pandemic which caused so much social isolation. The Purpose Coalition is a group of purpose-led businesses and organisations which are leading the way in ensuring social good is at the heart of their corporate strategies, bringing opportunity to communities across the country. With the experience and knowledge accumulated from working in those communities and the local partnerships often already forged with councils, public sector organisations, businesses and community and voluntary groups, they are well-placed to mount a comprehensive response to the social and economic impact of loneliness and make a real difference to the people who need the most help. 

Seema Kennedy OBE, Levelling Up Goals Co-Chair; former Minister for Public Health, Home Office Minister, and the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Private Secretary