Ed Campbell for City News
The service works across different organisations in Haringey to provide support to those most at risk of social isolation.

Haringey Council are hoping to combat isolation and loneliness in older people with a new service.

Haringey’s Reach and Connect service aims to help people over 50 become more active in their community by providing links with local organisations.

The service works across different organisations in Haringey to provide support to those most at risk of social isolation.

Councillor Sarah James said: “Older people would feel more comfortable, more engaged in wider society and be socially connected.

“A program like this is trying to introduce people to local community groups.”

Reach and Connect is available to all residents over 50, who can get in contact by telephone, email, and in person.

The scheme providers are actively seeking to help elderly residents reach these services.

Figen Mustafa attends a lunch club at the Turkish Cypriot Community Association everyday.

She says that projects like Reach and Connect would allow older people to engage in their community more easily.

“If they had transport and if they collect them, I’m sure there would be more people to join here.”

The Campaign To End Loneliness says that there are 1.2 million chronically lonely people in the UK.

Furthermore, two-fifths of older people say that the television is their main source of company.

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