Posted on: June 10, 2023
The Marmalade Trust has a simple mission: ‘To create a society where we recognise that loneliness exists and support each other to find new social connections’. In 2017, the Marmalade Trust created ‘Loneliness Awareness Week’, with the goal to reduce stigma and encourage people to talk about loneliness openly and honestly. TMT has launched a ‘Winter Companions’ project to bring people together in the colder, darker months, as well as a long running ‘Christmas Lunch’ tradition in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Northern Somerset. This brings Marmalade users together at a time they may otherwise feel isolated.
TMT accepts volunteers as part of their connection building programmes, quoting the benefit of intergenerational friendships, and how loneliness is no longer just something the older generation experience. Webinars are also available for corporations to learn how they can better improve the working environment for their colleagues. In 2017, the Campaign to End Loneliness found that loneliness at work costs UK employers £2.5 billion every year, so TMT’s webinars have been utilised by companies including KFC, Selfridges and the Teenage Cancer Trust. As a charity, they go above and beyond to report on their mission – supporting those who feel lonely.
This year’s theme for Loneliness Awareness Week is #ConnectionMatters , a message we at House of Books & Friends are behind 100%. As a CIC with a mission to tackle social isolation and loneliness, we believe that human connection and social interaction are paramount to ending feelings of loneliness. Our booksellers are always around for a natter, we have our Chatty Cafe table for anyone who would like someone to talk to, and we aim to continue building our social calendar to create as many events as possible to help build a sense of community here in Manchester. Keep an eye out on our socials for other ways you can get involved this week and in the future, and follow TMT to see the amazing work they do.
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