WORCESTERSHIRE County Council launch 'Stay connected pledge' in recognition of Loneliness Awareness Week.

The council are urging organisations across Worcestershire to sign up showing their commitment to tackling loneliness.

Once organisations have signed the pledge, which encourages organisations to ensure that their groups and clubs are inclusive, they can display the Stay Connected logo.

Councillor Karen May, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, signed the pledge on behalf of Worcestershire County Council. She said: “The pledge will demonstrate to people that as an organisation we are committed to tackling loneliness and supporting people to stay connected.

“Loneliness is such a key issue in our society and as we all know; the pandemic and lockdown has impacted all of us in some way or other.

“If this pledge can help to bring communities that little bit closer together then it’s a fantastic idea.”

Sarah Dugan, chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire health and care NHS trust, said: “As the main provider of mental health services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we recognise the impact loneliness and other social factors can play in a person’s overall wellbeing and so we are delighted to be signing the stay connected pledge.

“The last 12 months has had a profound impact on our lives and has led to many more people feeling isolated so it is really important that we share local resources and services which can help.”

Loneliness Awareness Week, which is running from June 14 to 18, is hosted each year by the Marmalade Trust.