A GRASSROOTS project has been launched to bring together people from all corners of the community who feel lonely and isolated.

Carol Boggs has launched Social Connectedness Darlington, hoping greater social connections will enable people to live fuller lives, improve their wellbeing, and become less reliant on services.

The 57-year-old, who can’t work because of health problems, said: “It’s so simple but so important.

“Most of us think friendship is easy. Why does it need a special group? When people are a little bit different, they’re not always accepted. And if you’re just below the line, you’re not depressed but are anxious and struggling a bit with your emotions, it’s so huge to get out and do anything social.”

Over nine million people suffering loneliness

The informal Saturday sessions take place in various independent coffee shops, with information of each event available online.

Currently self funded, Ms Boggs will apply for grants once registered as a social enterprise. The goal is to build a self sufficient network of regional groups – the Social Connectedness Movement.

Going into week five, there are already 110 members across the whole initiative, welcoming those with neuro diversity, partial sight, people struggling professionally and many more.

A recent study by The Co-op and the British Red Cross revealed more than nine million people in the UK across all adult ages are either always or often lonely, making grassroots projects such as this an importance outreach tool.

“People say to me, 'oh I want to come but I’m not doing very well at the minute'. Well that’s exactly why they should come,” Ms Boggs said.

“In 2018, I got quite unwell and went very quickly from doing everything to not much. I had to pull back everything because it was so bad.”

If everyone kept an eye on just one other person

Ms Boggs suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome which restricts her ability to carry out every day tasks. “I was not in a good place but decided at the end of the year, I had to start mending my relationships. But I didn’t have to at all, they were just there waiting for me,” she added.

“There are a lot of people out there who don’t have that.

Particular attention should be given who are “over reliant” on public services.

“We have an over reliance on services,” Ms Boggs said. "Loneliness, social isolation and other problems are often the root of that.

“Let’s remind people about neighbourliness.

“If everyone just kept an eye on one other person it could make such a big difference.

“Generations should be brought together too. I want to normalise checking in on the neighbours again.”

Susan, 67, from Darlington, spoke with Ms Boggs about the initiative. She said: “We have this big misconception that lonely and isolated people are the elderly, but it’s not just elderly people. Young people are lonely too. It’s everyone.”

This week’s catch up over coffee takes place at Influence Cafe, from 3pm-6pm.