Two West Leeds community organisations working to prevent loneliness have attended Prime Minister’s Question Time and a reception at 10 Downing Street.
Bramley Elderly Action‘s general manager Lee Ingham and Bill Graham from New Wortley Community Centre were invited to London by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves.
The reception, hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May, came in response to the publication last month of a report by the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. Rachel Reeves has been working on the Commission with fellow MP Seema Kennedy since the murder of Jo Cox MP in 2016.
Mr Ingham and Mr Graham were both in the Commons when the Prime Minister announced the appointment of a Minister for Loneliness, one of the report’s recommendations.
They both then went on to the Downing Street reception to mark Jo Cox’s legacy and the important work of the Commission.
Community leader Mr Graham said:
“It was great to be able to represent and highlight the innovative work done by many organisations in West Leeds at No.10 Downing Street to tackle loneliness.
“We are looking forward to being part of a conversation that highlights how community and connecting people can become a core health outcome that will benefit society as a whole.”
Mr Ingham added:
“BEA was honoured to accompany our patron Rachel Reeves at the 10 Downing Street reception for Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. The appointment of a Minister for Loneliness should help us to continue the fight against loneliness.”
Bramley Elderly Action and New Wortley Community Association are among the key organisations in helping to prevent loneliness, which can people of any age can feel, in West Leeds.
BEA runs a large range of groups and services for local people aged 60+, and offers volunteeirng opportunities to people aged 18+.
New Wortley Community Association provides activities and services of the whole of their local community.
I belong to three groups which are in fear of closing due to numbers – where are the lonely people that we can invite. One group is a whist drive held on a Tuesday evening at Calverley and on a Friday evening at Pudsey.