The Government last week launched a major effort to tackle loneliness during the coronavirus outbreak and period of social distancing

When launching the plan, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

Coronavirus and social distancing has forced all of us to look loneliness in the eye. So recognising the signs and tackling the stigma has never been more important.

We are launching this plan now to help ensure no one needs to feel lonely in the weeks ahead. It will help everyone understand the role they can play in looking after each other, and empower our expert charities and volunteers to reach more vulnerable people.

The plan will aim to ensure that, for people of all ages and backgrounds, staying at home does not need to lead to loneliness.

As part of this plan, national organisations working to tackle loneliness and build social connections are invited to apply for a share of £5 million of funding, which the government is investing to help them to continue and adapt their critical work.

This fund will make grants of between £500,000 and £1,000,000.

Visit the Let’s Talk Loneliness website and our Loneliness Collection page to find out more about our work to tackle loneliness and help available for those experiencing loneliness.

Purpose and aims of the fund

The expected outcomes of the fund are:

• effective, targeted relief for those most at risk of loneliness as a result of Covid-19
• contributing to the evidence base on Covid-19 and loneliness

This funding is for services that:

• can demonstrate their ability to reach people in ‘cold spots’ where informal neighbourly support and small local charities are not able to fully meet needs around social connection
• serve the needs of groups particularly at risk of loneliness, including those noted in ONS analysis and Community Life Survey and Active Lives Survey data
• continue, adapt or expand existing provision where there is a track record of successful delivery
• cannot be provided without this additional funding

Services must meet all of these aims to be eligible for this funding.

Completed applications should be returned to the Loneliness Fund team at: loneliness@culture.gov.uk

The deadline for applications is 12pm Friday 29th May 2020.