NI politicians urged to help take action against loneliness

The British Red Cross organised a special Tackling Loneliness at Major Life Transitions event at Stormont ahead of Valentine’s Day, urging cross-party political representatives to join experts from across the sector to take action against loneliness.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Feb 2019, 13:56 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2019, 10:11 BST
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At the event hosted by North Belfast DUP MLA Paula Bradley, Red Cross representatives were joined by those from the Public Health Agency (PHA), Carer’s NI, Marie Curie, Age NI, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Family Support Hub to share experiences and interventions, examine policy and loneliness strategies from elsewhere in the UK and Ireland and highlight that loneliness doesn’t discriminate.

British Red Cross Policy and Public Affairs Officer Mary Friel said: “It’s now recognised that loneliness can affect anyone at all ages and all stages in life. Life circumstances can change in the blink of an eye, meaning it can happen to anyone, no matter your age or background.

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“British Red Cross research shows one in five people in Northern Ireland describe themselves as always or often lonely, yet only 52% of adults know where to turn for help.

Event host Paula Bradley MLA (second from right) with PHA assistant director Brendan Bonner, British Red Cross director Sharon Sinclair and British Red Cross policy and public affairs officer Mary Friel.Event host Paula Bradley MLA (second from right) with PHA assistant director Brendan Bonner, British Red Cross director Sharon Sinclair and British Red Cross policy and public affairs officer Mary Friel.
Event host Paula Bradley MLA (second from right) with PHA assistant director Brendan Bonner, British Red Cross director Sharon Sinclair and British Red Cross policy and public affairs officer Mary Friel.

“We also know from our research that people are at a higher risk when going through transitions in life or when experiencing major life altering events such as becoming a new parent, becoming a carer, following bereavement, following a health crisis, a decline in mobility, retirement or when a relationship breaks down, divorce or separation.

“These are important issues and today we are highlighting the need for us all to come together to play our part in helping tackle loneliness. Together we can help build better connections where all of us feel welcome and valued and where we all feel we have someone we can turn to, no matter where we live or with whom.”

The British Red Cross are there every day for people, providing services across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK for those who are alone and isolated helping them connect with their communities.

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Whether that’s providing dedicated support and companionship to vulnerable people at home; lending a wheelchair so people are able to get around following a health crisis; supporting refugees to become valued members of their community, reuniting families that have been displaced, or inviting people to join us in building kinder, more connected communities across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK – the Red Cross is there.

For more information on the British Red Cross log on to www.redcross.org.uk/connect

Related topics:Paula BradleyDUP