• New public campaign launched by Culture Secretary to get people talking openly about loneliness
• Oliver Dowden announces loneliness to be a priority category of £750 million charity funding package
• Guaranteed £5 million boost for national loneliness organisations leading the charge
• Government publishes guidance on supporting yourself and others safely
• Loneliness charities including Age UK will be supported to work with NHS Volunteer Responders in their communities
• Network of high-profile charities, businesses and public figures to join ‘Tackling Loneliness Network’ formed by Government to help connect groups at risk of isolation

Led by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the plan will aim to ensure that, for people of all ages and backgrounds, staying at home does not need to lead to loneliness.

The latest #Let’sTalkLoneliness public campaign has been rolled out to get people talking openly about loneliness, which includes new public guidance offering useful tips and advice on what to do to look after yourself and others safely.

The campaign, initially launched last year, is being supported by famous faces across social media including TV presenter Angellica Bell and Karen Gibson, founder of The Kingdom Choir. More information can be found at https://letstalkloneliness.co.uk/

In a wide ranging cross-Government and cross-sector plan, Dowden has also announced that:

• Smaller, community-based organisations in England helping people to stay connected in local communities will benefit from being a priority category of the £750 million package of support for charities announced by the Chancellor on 8 April.
• National loneliness organisations will be allocated a guaranteed £5 million worth of funding to continue and adapt their critical work at this time.
• As part of the national effort, loneliness charities including Age UK will be supported to work with NHS Volunteer Responders in their communities.