Raising awareness of loneliness in West Norfolk
You don't have to feel alone
From today (14 June) people and organisations in West Norfok are joining together to raise awareness of loneliness during Loneliness Awareness Week.
Lily, which is managed by the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, helps people who are feeling lonely or isolated by supporting them to connect to organisations that can help in the area. Lily also has a local online directory containing around 3,000 listings.
Cllr Sam Sandell, Cabinet member for People and Communities, said:
"Loneliness Awareness Week is a great reason to remind people about the support that Lily can give them in the local community. Over the last year everyone has been affected in some way by isolation and loneliness.
"As we move out of COVID restrictions, it is important to remember that many will remain isolated and lonely. The Lily online directory is available to everyone aged 18 or older. It lists organisations, services and activities that help improve mental wellbeing, combat loneliness and social isolation in adults of all ages.
"The asklily.org.uk website features activity guides that have socially distanced suggestions on how to interact with each other safely and ideas on activities you can try.
"Over the course of the week our Lily team, CANConnect and Better Together Norfolk will be working to raise awareness of the impacts of loneliness. Next week #LetsTalkLoneliness."
Follow the Lily Facebook and Twitter feeds, @LilyWestNorfolk, throughout the week for support with combating loneliness. There are also a couple of sessions that people are invited to in Heacham and King's Lynn.
Tuesday 15 June: 10:30am - 2:30pm - Norfolk and Waveney Mind Safe Haven, 4 Poplar Avenue, Heacham, King's Lynn PE31 7EA.
Wednesday 16 June: 2pm - 3:30pm The Connection Project Coffee Morning, 28 Bridge Street, Kings Lynn, PE30 5AB (booking is required).
Lily has a strong focus on community development, by:
Helping groups to arrange activities and encouraging volunteering.
Providing small grants to community groups.
Providing support for employers, schools, and colleges to help them tackle loneliness.
For more information visit www.asklily.org.uk or call the council information centre on 01553 616200.