Scotland’s first-ever strategy to tackle loneliness and social isolation announced today by the Minister for Older People and Equalities, has been welcomed by a coalition of leading charities.
The new strategy includes many of the key recommendations made by AGIL (Action Group on Loneliness and Isolation in Scotland) to the Scottish Government.
Anne Callaghan, Campaign Manager Scotland for the Campaign to End Loneliness, said:
“The Action Group on Isolation and Loneliness (AGIL) welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s strategy to tackle loneliness and isolation.
“We are pleased that all of the key recommendations we made to help strengthen the strategy have been adopted, particularly the new cross-Ministerial group to help drive the strategy and the formation of an implementation group drawn from civil society to progress it.
“The announcement of £1 million of funding spread over two years to test new and innovative approaches is a welcome step, but more will be needed. The scale of the challenge is huge and it’s encouraging that the Scottish Government is looking at how other budgets can be used to tackle loneliness and isolation in Scotland.
“We are ready to work with the government to help make Scotland a more connected, less lonely, and healthier country and welcome their recognition of our group’s potential role.”
