Third Of North East Parents Struggling With Loneliness

Nearly a third of parents in the North East feel lonely and isolated.

Figures released by charity Action For Children claim almost 1 in 3 mums and dads across our region regularly feel cut off from friends and other sources of support.

The stats also show the importance of having a support network to rely on was highlighted by parents the charity spoke to. With 57% saying it is particularly important to have friends who are also parents.

The charity say Newcastle children’s centres offer families ‘a real lifeline’.

Metro Radio has been speaking to Northumberland mums who say they also felt isolated and lonely until they joined a local group near Morpeth.

Rachael Cartwright says; "You kind of just slowly become this person, who has no close friends, no real friends. Before all my friends were my colleagues really. I was out of the house five days a week socialising. Once that stops it was very sudden and you realise how lonely you actually can be."

Carol Iddon, director of children’s services at Action for Children across the North East, said; “It’s troubling to see that so many parents feel isolated. Local services like our children’s centres Cowgate and Blakelaw, Sure Start Ashington and Morpeth can offer a real lifeline to parents who feel isolated - somewhere to meet and make friends. Staff there won’t judge if you drop in looking for support, and you can take part in activities like play sessions or parenting classes.”

You can read more HERE