Have you ever experienced what it’s like to feel lonely? Have you ever reached a point in which you felt like you had no one to turn to for help and support? Have you at any point in your life been without anyone to feel close to?At Age UK Northumberland we reach out to an estimated 5,555 lonely older people in our county and as an organisation we have set ourselves the challenge of ‘reducing loneliness’ in Northumberland as one of our key strategic aims. 

Loneliness is associated with depression, sleep problems, impaired cognitive health, heightened vascular resistance, hypertension, psychological stress and mental health problems. Especially in older people. You can help us! We aim to develop an all-important friendship line… this will cover Morpeth North, Pegswood, Bothal, Hirst, Lynemouth, Newbiggin by the Sea, Cramlington, Sleekburn, Choppington, Bedlington, Cowpen, Isabella and Wensleydale.

A final point to think about:• 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with friends or family for a month.

• 3.9 million older people agree the television is their main form of company.• Loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Together we can change this in Northumberland!