Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness

Quality of Life

Start a Conversation: fighting the widespread problem of lonelines

A study by The Co-op and the British Red Cross reveals that over 9 million people in the UK across all adult ages are either always or often lonely. The Loneliness Commission was established by Labour MP, Jo Cox. She approached Seema Kennedy, Conservative MP, to become a co-chair and invited 13 organisations including Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, the British Red Cross and The Co-op, to form the Commission. Following Jo’s murder in June 2016, Seema asked Rachel Reeves MP to co-chair the Commission to help her fulfil Jo’s legacy. Jo wanted to start a conversation around loneliness to help break down the stigma around it. The Commission wants to highlight that loneliness doesn’t discriminate and wants to be a ‘call to action’. With the message ‘Start a Conversation’, the Commission tries to get people talking at all levels – whether chatting to a neighbour, visiting an old friend, or just making time for the people they meet. The Commission also targets businesses and employers, and looks at what local and national Government can do to combat loneliness.