A national conference on loneliness has heard from a young mum who has been supported by Home-Start.

Anna Devivo, became involved with Home-Start Croydon as part of their young mums group, funded by the British Red Cross and Co-op. Anna told the audience about the challenges facing young mothers.

Anna was sharing her experiences as part of a one day conference focused on tackling loneliness.

On Tuesday 21 May the British Red Cross in partnership with Co-op welcomed over 150 delegates to the Loneliness Action Group flagship conference, From Policy To Action: Where Next For Loneliness. The event in central London heard from people from all walks of life who had experienced loneliness – and the innovative ways they had developed to overcome it.

Home-Start attended as part of our work with the Loneliness Action Group.

Minister for Loneliness Mims Davies MP addressed the conference on Government plans to tackle loneliness including new initiatives to support students and a fund for digital and tech-based solutions.

The conference highlighted the current focus that is being put onto reducing loneliness at all levels. The experience that local Home-Starts have in working with families facing loneliness over the past 40 years means we have an important role to play in this area.

Home-Start UK previously contributed to the Government’s Loneliness strategy, A connected society, published in October 2018.

[Photo: British Red Cross and Co-op]