Lil’s loneliness - and why our volunteers are so important

Please note: this post is 135 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

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Lil is one of the much loved older neighbours who comes to North London Cares film nights - every single week. She is very open in admitting that she comes because she feels lonely at home - and she wants to get out of the house and spend time with people, especially young people.

As The Campaign to End Loneliness released new figures last week about the extent of loneliness amongst older people in the UK, and Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt gave a speech on the challenges associated with isolation, we arranged for Lil to speak to ITV News about her experience of feeling lonely.

As always, she was refreshingly candid and absolutely endearing. And that's why our volunteers, who love spending time with Lil, have warmed to her and so many of the 500+ local people they now support through North London Cares' community network.

We want to mobilise enough volunteers and raise enough money so that none of our neighbours in Camden and Islington feel lonely. Because we know that young people have the time, energy and will to build strong relationships with their older neighbours, we believe that eventually we can overcome this currently deepening problem.

Or, as Lil says:

"I look forward to Tuesday film nights all week. It's lovely that young people give up their time to spend with us older people. Roll on next Tuesday!"

Watch Lil speak about her situation, and sign up on the right to help a neighbour overcome loneliness.