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'Loneliness is not something to be ashamed of'

Sophia Allsopp
BBC News, Bristol
The Marmalade Trust An older and a younger woman laugh as they sit at a table, with hot drinks and water in front of them. The Marmalade Trust
The campaign encourages people to have open and honest conversations

A charity is aiming to raise awareness of loneliness by spreading the message it is not something to be ashamed of.

The Marmalade Trust's Loneliness Awareness Week Campaign starts on Monday and encourages people to take action to build social connections and reduce the stigma around loneliness.

In an effort to spark conversation, a trail of 52 "chatty" benches has been set up in Bristol.

The Marmalade Trust's founder Amy Perrin said loneliness was "a normal human emotion and signalled a need for social connection".

Ms Perrin, who founded the charity in Bristol in 2017, said the Covid-19 pandemic brought greater public awareness to the issue of loneliness, but stigma remained.

The Marmalade Trust Black and white image of Amy Perrin OBE in a white t-shirt with the words "Marmalade Trust" on the front. The Thames river and London Eye are in the background.The Marmalade Trust
Ms Perrin says loneliness is a normal human emotion which deserves open conversation

She also explained there were different types of loneliness.

"It's subjective and different for everybody, so you can have loads of friends and a network but then feel loneliness within your relationship.

"Or maybe you've got loads of friends and family but you don't have a partner so you miss those watching TV moments or coming back from work and having a cuppa together," she said.

The awareness week has grown from a local project in Bristol to a global movement.

A range of events is planned across the UK, with more than 5,000 activities scheduled across the week.

The Marmalade Trust Two men standing in animated conversation. The man on the left is laughing and dressed in a white buttoned-down shirt and black tros. He is facing the man on the right who is smiling and is dressed in a white t-shirt and is holding a slice of pizza.The Marmalade Trust
The Marmalade Trust helps people of all ages

Among the events in Bristol are a discussion, the release of recent research on loneliness, wellbeing walks, a friendship-focused speed dating event and an interactive pub quiz.

Chatty benches have been set up between the Harbourside and the Tobacco Factory, each with prompts to help spark conversation.

Internationally, events include a Capitol Hill discussion in Washington in the US, an art gallery spread across 11 Estonian cities and a in Malaysia.

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