Loneliness is on the rise in Scotland and will get worse with the cost of living restricting people socialising.
An online YouGov opinion poll for the British Red Cross found 30 per cent of people feel lonelier than this time last year despite Covid easing.
A huge 84 per cent agreed that loneliness is still a problem and 59 per cent said they always, often or sometimes feel lonely.
Some 89 per cent fear the cost-of-living crisis is a factor and 53 per cent have cut back socialising.
The charity is encouraging people feeling isolated to contact its Connecting With You service, funded by the Scottish Government.
It comes during Loneliness Awareness Week.
The Red Cross is calling for the Government to place greater emphasis on social prescribing services.
The charity also wants politicians to especially target the most vulnerable.
Sandhya Kumar, 58, of Moodiesburn, near Glasgow, spends long periods at home because of health with her husband at work in their shop all day.
And she admits she was “struggling” before learning about the service.
She said: “I didn’t qualify for a lot of the services that are out there as most of them will only take you on if you are over 60.
“I was really struggling but since I connected with the British Red Cross I’ve just not looked back.”
Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie said: “We are doing everything within our powers and fixed budgets to ensure people, communities and businesses are supported as far as possible.”
If you are 18 and over, living in Scotland and experiencing loneliness or social isolation, contact the Connecting With You service on 0300 30 36 077 between 10am–4pm, Monday to Friday.
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