This week our family of schools continues to support the Great Winter Get Together’s two week campaign, led by the Jo Cox Foundation to tackle loneliness one conversation at a time. When Jo Cox was the MP for Batley & Spen she campaigned to tackle loneliness, and she was brave enough to admit to others that she had felt lonely at different points in her life. Jo had felt lonely when she first started to attend Cambridge University, and again as a new mum when her children were born. Both of these periods of time were key transitions in her life. Jo’s campaign to raise awareness about loneliness, and reach out to those who feel lonely was influential in the Government appointing the first ever Minister for Loneliness. This great step forward demonstrates how the actions of just one person really can make a positive difference for change.

Across our family of schools we work hard to develop our young people’s skills such as resilience, confidence, problem solving and leadership skills. The children we are raising in our schools today, are tomorrow’s future leaders. We encourage every individual in our learning communities to be the very best version of themselves, and to be the change they want to see in the world. No act of kindness can ever be underestimated, however small. Each one really does make a difference.

Few people realise that it is young people aged between 16 and 24 who experience feelings of loneliness the most. So let’s raise awareness around loneliness, reach out to help others, and remind everyone that there is no shame in sharing. Our family of schools have supported the campaign through assemblies, sharing top tips to tackle loneliness, and raising awareness of the importance of this because young and old loneliness doesn’t discriminate. Please also see the Great Get Together website for further details. https://www.greatgettogether.org/. Together we can beat loneliness, one conversation at a time.