It's the loneliness that's the killer. Strange thing to say? But it's so true. Loneliness is harmful to health. Studies have shown that it is as harmful as smoking and can cause no end of health conditions that can result in hospitalisation or even death. in older people.

June (75) has lived in S6 for 22 years. She now shares her home with her two dogs, Lawson and Harley, her tortoise and budgie. Although she is independent, loneliness has still had a huge impact on her life. After her long-term partner became unwell, June was unable to look after him at home, so he now lives in a care home. Junes family, although living in Sheffield, have busy lives with young families and June understands that life gets in the way.

Life during Covid was a nightmare for me. My partner became very ill and I developed pneumonia and sepsis, at one point we were both in the same hospital. I realised then that I would not be able to look after him at home because of my own health issues. When he did come home he had fallen several times and I couldnt pick him up, the decision to move him to a care home was taken out of my hands, I had no choice. Ive had a lot of physical pain in my life for many years, but theres no pain worse than loneliness. Nothing worse than that. Loneliness and loss, wicked, terrible things.

June was referred to our Good Neighbour Scheme where she was introduced to Jackie a befriending volunteer that visits June for an hour a week.

June said, I am much more positive than I was. I had forgotten what it was like to have a decent conversation with someone. I didnt want to talk to someone about my needs, I wanted to have a conversation. I didnt want to talk about bingo, tea or arthritis, I wanted a proper discussion. I was a social worker and Jackie is a physiotherapist so we have a lot in common and we talk about health and social care regularly. Jackie is like family, she tells me straight when I am being mardy and puts me in touch with reality - she has made a huge difference to my life.