Hundreds of Wearsiders support Age UK loneliness campaign

Sophie Brownson

Charity bosses have thanked caring Wearsiders for backing their efforts to tackle loneliness in the city.

The Echo got behind Age UK Sunderland’s No One Should Have No One campaign in the run-up to Christmas, which urged people to support the organisation’s work through volunteering and signing a petition to raise the issue of loneliness at Government level.

We also encouraged people to sign the charity’s Loneliness Petition, which called on the Government and Sunderland City Council to develop strategies to map, prevent and address loneliness; evaluate and improve existing services to combat loneliness; and invest in testing and evaluating innovative solutions to loneliness.

Age UK Sunderland director Alan Patchett has revealed that a total of 800 Wearsiders signed the petition during the campaign.

Mr Patchett said: “I am delighted that so many people in the city have signed the petition and have recognised the dreadful impact of social isolation can have on older people.

“I look forward to working with partners in the city to tackle this issue and support our older population.

“As a result of the campaign, the charity has also seen 30 new volunteers sign up to help Sunderland’s elderly people.

Mr Patchett added:“The No One Should Have No One campaign is an ongoing campaign nationally.

“I am going to go to the local authority to make them aware of what issues are affecting older people and ask them to address those issues.”