Written question asked by Simon Kirby (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 April 2012. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 April 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Older People: Loneliness

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what engagement his Department had with WRVS at the recent Loneliness summit;

Answer: On 15 March 2012, the Department co-hosted a loneliness summit with the Campaign to End Loneliness (CEL). The event saw charities, businesses, hon. Members and public sector organisations come together to start a conversation about loneliness and isolation in older age and how it could best be tackled. CEL has also been commissioned by the Department to produce a digital toolkit for health and social care commissioners to combat loneliness and isolation.The CEL is a coalition of five partner organisations: Age UK Oxfordshire, Independent Age, Manchester city council, Sense and WRVS, all of whom played an active role at the summit. During the summit, representatives from all of the partner organisations (including WRVS) had the opportunity to engage with the Department. The chief executive of WRVS spoke at the event and answered questions as part of a panel with other speakers.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 103115; 543 c130-1W
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Older people Voluntary work Department of Health Women's Royal Voluntary Service Loneliness
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk