South Holland suffers from loneliness problem

More people feel lonely in South Holland than in the rest of Lincolnshire – with one in eight people suffering from a lack of company.

Figures from an Office for National Statistics study show that 12.7% of people in South Holland feel lonely ‘often or always’.

That compares to just 7.4% in South Kesteven, 4.2% in Boston, 1.7% in North Kesteven.

Spalding’s Vanessa Browning, who runs Community Mind Matters, said the figures show the area has got some catching up to do when it comes to offering mental health support.

She said: “We are a little behind the times. Big cities and places like that have more but we are a little town.

“We are getting better. I do think it’s going in the right direction.”

Vanessa’s group offers walking groups, running groups and arts and crafts and exercise activities in Ayscoughfee Gardens - and is stepping these up in a bid to help people cope with a trying time.

She says the last year has been ‘life changing’ for many people - but that the return from lockdown could be just as dramatic.

She explained: “It’s life changing again for people.

“I think with people getting back to normal, it’s frightening for them - people have lost touch with a lot of people.

“People have been so cooped up in their houses, it’s so sad to think.”

At the beginning of last year, Community Mind Matters launched a project where people could visit a bench in Ayscoughfee Gardens and speak to a support worker.

The loneliness figures come to light during Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts today (Monday).

A spokesman for the Mental Health Foundation, which runs the awareness week, told the Free Press: “Loneliness has an incredibly important influence on mental health because it’s our connections with other people that really helps us to cope with different events and different things in life.

“When you are missing that contact, it’s harder to help.

“The pandemic has really contributed to that and reduced our contact.”

Andy Fox, deputy director for public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Most people will probably have some sort of anxiety or concern around things opening up again and the best advice I can give is to encourage people to follow the restrictions we have at every stage.”

He added: “If people are going out about and they are nervous about whether or not the place they’re going to will be Covid secure, it’s OK to take small steps and you don’t have to go to that business if you’re not confident it will be Covid secure.

“Instead go to a business that you are confident is Covid secure and that does it properly.”

l Anyone who wants to get in touch with Vanessa and the Community Mind Matters team can call 01775 729241. Alternatively, search for the group on Facebook.