The Government has launched a new £2m fund to help support grassroots organisations at the frontline of tackling loneliness.

The funding aims to support organisations that bring people together and help them build social connections. These could include community cafés, street parties, coffee mornings or local walking groups.

The investment will help small organisations promote themselves more widely, help fund the use of suitable venues and accessible transport, and bring established groups together.

‘Loneliness is one of the biggest public health challenges our country faces and we are committed to tackling it head on,’ said the minister for civil society Baroness Barran.

'This new fund is a fitting way to mark one year since the launch of our landmark strategy and will help grassroots organisations address the issue in their own communities.’

The funding marks one year since the publication of the Government’s Loneliness Strategy which outlined almost 60 commitments to end loneliness. This included funding 126 projects through its £11.5m Building Connections Fund.