Home-Start has contributed to the Action for Children and Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness' new report into the impact of loneliness in children, young people and families.

During November the focus of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness is on isolation in families and children. This part of the campaign is being coordinated by Action for Children.

The new report contains a family story from a mum who has worked with a Home-Start volunteer, and alongside this the report says “[Home-Start] provide practical and emotional support for parents experiencing isolation, bereavement, mental and physical ill-health, and many other challenges. 44% of families supported by Home-Start are referred to them because they are lonely and isolated.”

The report also contains shocking statistics from a new survey of 2,000 parents conducted by Survation.

More than half (52 per cent) of UK parents have suffered from loneliness – with a fifth (21 per cent) having felt lonely in the last week.

The poll also found that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) felt they had become ‘cut off’ from friends and family since having children, and a similar number (61 per cent) worry their child is lonely some or all the time.

Across the country families are working with Home-Start volunteers when they face reduce loneliness and isolation.

In 2014, 35% of families came to Home-Start because they were lonely or isolated. In 2017 this had increased to 44% of families.

However, our latest impact report shows that 94% of families who worked with a Home-Start volunteer felt less isolated.

If you want to find out how you can become a Home-Start volunteer click here.