MHA welcomes Government’s Loneliness Strategy

MHA, one of the most well-respected care providers in the sector and one of Britain’s Top 20 charities, providing services to older people for 75 years, has issued a statement on the Government’s response to their Loneliness Strategy.

MHA was part of the round table discussion with charities, think tanks, academia, health and local government which was chaired by the Cross-Government Loneliness team. In addition, the charity also contributed to the consultation on the strategy.

Sam Monaghan MHA Chief Executive, commented: ‘MHA provides support for more than 10,000 older people throughout the UK through our Live at Home services in the community with the aim to tackle social isolation and loneliness and we welcome the Government’s announcement of their loneliness strategy and the additional £1.8m to increase the number of community spaces available. 

“We have long advocated for the value of social prescribing as an effective holistic approach to well-being and welcome its inclusion in the strategy. People being referred to our schemes and care homes for improved self-esteem, and social activities to reduce the impact of loneliness will be a positive step forward. 

“We will be working closely with the government to help identify and support older people experiencing loneliness.”

MHA currently supports more than 10,500 older people across the country in its community-based Live at Home schemes. The 57 schemes provide a wide range of activities and support services to older people to help combat and tackle loneliness and isolation among older people who live independently in their own home.