Kirklees gets together to tackle loneliness

Posted on: 4 March 2020

Oastler Building, Huddersfield University, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH

The world’s first government minister for loneliness will join Jo Cox’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, at a major conference on the issue in Huddersfield later today (Thursday).

Tracey Crouch MP was appointed following the report of the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission at the end of 2018. The conference will also hear a video message from the current holder of the post, Baroness Barran.

Over 60 organisations from Kirklees, which includes Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley, will come together to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on so many people’s lives.

The conference, the first of its kind for the area, is being held at Huddersfield University and is supported by Kirklees Council. It has been organised by The Jo Cox Foundation & the Kirklees Befriending Partnership (made up of Yorkshire Children’s Centre; Royal Voluntary Service, Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees; Locala Community Partnership & Kirkwood Hospice) and West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

Conference delegates include representatives from a broad range of organisations from across the area who tackle loneliness across the adult lifespan. Workshops will be held to address how best organisations can work together to support more people, and all delegates will be asked to pledge their support for tackling loneliness and social isolation.

The conference aims to inspire organisations to work together to reach out to those who might need help, and to encourage everyone to do simple things within their communities that will make a real difference to peoples’ wellbeing. It builds on the positive work taking place across the region around loneliness and social isolation, and on the national work being carried out by The Jo Cox Foundation through the popular Great Get Together campaign in June.

Guest speakers, contributors and attendees include: Tracey Crouch MP, Baroness Barran, MBE; Rachel Reeves MP; Iona Lawrence, former CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, Jacqui Gedman, CEO for Kirklees Council;  Bob Cryan, Vice Chancellor for The University of Huddersfield and of course Kim Leadbeater, Jo Cox’s sister and Ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation.

Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater, Ambassador for The Jo Cox Foundation, said:

"I am very passionate about creating well-connected communities where everyone is happy and healthy and has a sense of identity and belonging, and it is heart-warming to see the work that Jo started on the important issue of loneliness being continued in such a positive way in the area where we grew up. Much of my focus since Jo was killed has been on how we can build strong compassionate communities and bring people together, and bringing organisations together in Kirklees to tackle loneliness and social isolation is an important part of this work."

Baroness Barran, Minister for Loneliness, said:

"The Jo Cox Foundation continues to inspire so many of us who work to reduce loneliness. It's great that so many dedicated organisations have come together at this important event raising awareness of loneliness in Kirklees."

"Through our Loneliness Strategy, we have secured £20 million helping thousands of people from different backgrounds and we are working hard to address the stigma of loneliness and to create more opportunities for people to feel connected."

Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West, said:

“The Jo Cox Loneliness Commission was a fantastic example of the cross-party working that Jo believed could deliver real change. It was a privilege to take up this challenge with my friend and colleague Seema Kennedy and it’s heartening to see the issue being tackled with such seriousness both in Kirklees and across the country."

Kirklees Befriending partnership said:

"The Befriending Partnership was formed two years ago with a common goal of reducing loneliness and isolation in Kirklees. All partners involved offer befriending services, but also offer many other services and support to help people feel more connected and less lonely. By working together, and with wider partners, we can make a bigger difference for people. This is why we are bringing organisations together at this conference."

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