On 28 June I attended the event hosted by Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness at Parliament. I fully support the Commission’s work in continuing Jo’s legacy of raising awareness about loneliness and reducing the stigma of being lonely.

A British Red Cross survey found that one in five people said they always or often felt lonely. Many people link loneliness with older people, but that is by no means the full picture. Changes in our lives can often trigger the feeling of loneliness. As Jo herself said, “Young or old, loneliness doesn’t discriminate.”

What makes it even difficult is that many who are lonely never talk about it. All of us can do something to make someone feel less lonely. I encourage everyone to pick up the phone and speak to a relative or a friend who you haven’t spoken to for a while.

I have signed the Commission’s pledge to start a conversation and support the campaign in my constituency of Houghton and Sunderland South and in my role in Parliament. You can also sign the pledge online here to support Jo Cox’s legacy campaign.