Norfolk's campaign to tackle loneliness has been hailed in a national report by the charity formed to continue the campaigning work of murdered MP Jo Cox.
The Jo Cox Foundation has highlighted the work of the In Good Company campaign, run by over 20 organisations, backed by the Eastern Daily Press, to help combat the increasing problem of loneliness.
The annual report of the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission praises the campaign, which was launched by Norfolk County Council, for turning 'strategy into action' and for creating 'a movement against loneliness, right across the county.'
Wendy Thomson, managing director of Norfolk County Council, said: 'I called for this campaign because of the way loneliness affects the health and wellbeing of thousands of our residents.
'Lonely people are more likely to suffer poor health and become victims of scams and fraud. They are more likely to lose their independence and become reliant on public services sooner.
'We share the view of the Jo Cox Commission that combatting loneliness is everybody's business and we are committed to doing as much as we can to bring our county together to reduce the problem.'
Alison Thomas, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, said: 'I give my wholehearted political leadership and backing to our work here in Norfolk, not least because of my personal conviction that tackling loneliness is something that matters so much. Every single one of us can do something, no matter how small, to make a big difference to someone who is lonely.
'So I'm very proud that the great work being done in Norfolk to tackle loneliness has achieved national recognition.
'More is planned for the coming year, including a summit that will bring the county's key decision makers together for further action and to help ensure that no one spends a lonely day in Norfolk if they don't want to.'
Jo Cox was Labour MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire. She was murdered in June 2016, when she was shot and stabbed by Thomas Mair outside a library in Birstall, where she was about to hold a constituency surgey. Mair, 52, was jailed for life for her murder.
The Jo Cox Foundation was established to continue her work.
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