We're delighted to share this inspiring story of connection, highlighting the work of Coalition members The Co-op Foundation and Mencap. Gig Buddies Mencap in Hull and East Riding have been supported by The Co-op Foundation's #iwill Fund to help young people beat loneliness through social action. Read on to find out more and see how young people are making the most of digital connections to tackle loneliness.

Leading mental health organisations have come together to provide, for the first time, a single service to support the millions of key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure as they form our frontline against the coronavirus.

Alex Smith, Founder and CEO, of The Cares Family, wrote this essay as part of the pamphlet Our Other National Debt: Repaying the people we owe the most after coronavirus.

The COVID-19 crisis presents us all with emotional and practical challenges, both personal and professional. Of all these challenges, none is more difficult to face in social isolation than loss, grief and bereavement. 

Social connection must become a central pillar of future policy and planning, across sectors, and for the long-term, to manufacture new ways of bringing people together, build social trust, and act as a check and balance against the profound societal shifts taking place.

Thomas Letourneur shares this story about how he stays connected with his grandmother using Famileo’s family newspaper.

The Government has convened a network of high-profile charities, businesses, organisations and public figures to explore ways to bring people together to build strong community spirit, with a focus on groups at particular risk of loneliness.

Chief Executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, Catherine Anderson, joined Geri Scott, The Yorkshire Post's Westminster Correspondent, on the Pods Own Country podcast to discuss how, in the lockdown imposed by Coronavirus, the Connection Coalition is highlighting the issue of loneliness - and what we can do to make it better.

News of the Connection Coalition launch, including partners such as the Jo Cox Foundation, Mind, Age UK, the British Red Cross, Nesta and Facebook, was covered on Third Sector.

A new scheme to build connections and stave off loneliness and isolation in the age of social distancing has been launched with the help of the charity formed in memory of MP Jo Cox, as reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post.