Support to tackle loneliness
Published
Wednesday 7 January, 2026
Updated
Wednesday 7 January, 2026
A new initiative backed by Swale Borough Council will offer isolated local people companionship and support.
The council is supporting a community-led action plan that aims to make sure no local resident needs to struggle alone, by offering practical solutions like a new telephone befriending service and a ‘one-stop’ directory of local activities.
The initiative working to tackle loneliness is built on the feedback from more than 500 local people and organisations who highlighted barriers such as rural isolation, transport issues, and digital exclusion.
This local knowledge has helped the council and the Swale Voluntary Alliance (SVA) target resources to where they will have the most impact.
New support services being launched this year include:
- Swale Activities Directory - an online platform to help people find groups, events, and opportunities taking place in their area
- Telephone befriending for young people (01795 473 828) - a dedicated service offering companionship for younger residents
- ‘Loneliness champion’ training workshops - to give volunteers the confidence to check in on others and offer support
- And will be exploring options to support the digitally excluded - including practical help for those without internet access to get online and stay connected with loved ones
The loneliness champion training workshops will be open to parish councils, community groups, volunteers, and frontline staff. You can register here for the workshop.
The project has been funded by Swale Borough Council through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), was developed by the Swale Voluntary Alliance (SVA), and is being delivered by Swale Community and Voluntary Services (Swale CVS).
Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of the Housing, Health and Communities Committee, said:
“Loneliness is a very human feeling, but we want to help people be able to speak openly about what they are going through and be able to create meaningful connections.
“It is amazing to see the funding being put to good use to create a coordinated response to loneliness in Swale, linking existing services together while helping to boost their invaluable offer.”
Sean Leacock, deputy chief executive officer of Swale CVS, said:
“Loneliness is something many of us associate with older age, but the reality is that it can affect anyone, at any stage of life. In Swale, hundreds of residents have told us that they regularly feel lonely or isolated, even though many want to connect with others.
“For some, it is caused by poor transport, health conditions or living alone. For others, it is a lack of confidence, digital skills, or simply not knowing what is happening in their local area.
“This project was created to respond to this, listening directly to residents and turning what they told us into practical action.
“At its heart, the Loneliness Project is about making Swale a place where people feel seen, supported and able to belong. By listening to residents and working together across communities, the aim is simple: to help people feel less alone, one connection at a time.”
If you have any questions, please email Sean at: Sean.Leacock@SwaleCVS.co.uk.
The Swale Voluntary Alliance was formed thanks to a grant from the council, funded by the UKSPF, to help secure the financial stability of the local voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.
Local charities and community groups are invited to join the Alliance to share resources and ensure the safety net for Swale residents is as strong as possible.
