Tackling loneliness on our doorstep

So I was pleased to read that St Albans District Council is backing the national Loneliness Commission, set up to “start a national conversation about the scale and impact of loneliness in the UK.”

It brings together MPs, policy makers and more than a dozen leading organisations to expose the challenge of loneliness and find ways of overcoming it.

Churches play a major role in building community. From toddler groups to luncheon clubs for older people, from regular midweek get-togethers to drop-ins for a cup of tea or coffee, churches across St Albans and Harpenden play their part in bringing people together.

And that’s on top of their worship services and hosting other community, arts and heritage events.

It’s good too to see the Council and local churches working together, such as the new Council-backed drop-in at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church on Thursday afternoons from 1.30 to 4.30 where art, games, computer advice, knitting and sewing and refreshments are on offer for anyone.

Recent research from the Church Urban Fund showed that activity groups – from choirs to exercise classes - played an important part in many people’s sense of well-being. The Bishop of Hertford made this point when he met with local church representatives recently.

Hats off to St Albans councillors for unanimously backing the Loneliness Commission. May its work prosper locally and across the country.

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