THE Senior Safe and Social Group in Harlow, which fosters friendships amongst the town’s over 50s, has helped launch United in Kind, the social movement which aims to tackle social isolation and loneliness by spreading kindness.

The group meets at The Playhouse theatre every Monday morning for games, quizzes and other social activities and for 82-year old Irene Howard, it has provided a lifeline to help combat her loneliness: “I moved back to Harlow after my husband died in 1998 and found I hit a brick wall. I was diagnosed by my GP as having ‘prolonged bereavement’ but since joining the Club after Christmas I haven’t looked back.”

The group is run by Rainbow Services which is one of hundreds of community and voluntary organisations, charities and groups across Essex already supporting people who feel lonely or isolated. It is hoped that by coming together under United in Kind, which urges people to connect with each other through small acts of kindness, they can have a greater impact, reach more people and attract new volunteers.

Kelly Bracer-Day of Rainbow Services who helps run the Senior Safe and Social Group said: “We can have up to 30 people attending on Mondays, ranging from 50 years of age upwards. Some people will go from Thursday until they see us on Monday morning without talking to anyone, so the Club is very important to them.”

Co-worker at Rainbow Services, Community Builder Kelly Tarling added: “The group makes such a difference to the people who come along to enjoy the company, friendship and a good laugh. Some didn’t know anyone here six months ago but now they meet up outside the club too.”

Kelly Tarling was among those who helped spread the United in Kind message across Harlow yesterday, joining a team to hand out cards to local shoppers and workers with suggested acts of kindness they could pass on. Esquires coffee shop in the Water Gardens shopping centre also lent its support, acting as a United in Kind hub where residents could find out more information.

Essex County Council, which announced its support for United in Kind in this week, surveyed 500 people, including Harlow residents, to understand their views on loneliness, social isolation and community involvement, with the results showing that one in four people often or always feel lonely but being community spirited can help our sense of belonging.

73% of the 500 people who took part in the survey said they had done something kind like putting a neighbour’s bin out in the past 12 months, and these people were more likely to chat to their neighbours and feel a sense of belonging.

Essex County Council is supporting the United in Kind movement through a network of local delivery partners including West Essex based WECAN, which is a partnership of Rainbow Services Harlow, Uttlesford CVS and Epping CVS. The aim is to build the resilience of local charities and community groups and support them with existing initiatives that already challenge loneliness.

United in Kind coaches and befrienders are being recruited by the delivery partners in local communities to also provide more structured support to vulnerable people.

Essex County Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Essex has a wonderful network of charities, groups and individuals, who provide volunteering and expertise. Sadly however, it doesn’t feel that way to those who are lonely, isolated and without family or friends. Our hope is that the ‘United in Kind’ initiative will not only unlock more volunteers but also help people to think about this particular aspect of social need.”

For more information and to see what’s happening in local communities, visit www.unitedinkind.org.uk and join #UnitedInKind on social media to share stories of kindness.