Welsh Labour’s Member of the Senedd for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney, Dawn Bowden MS, has welcomed a new fund from the Welsh Labour Government to tackle loneliness and isolation.

The new three-year Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund will support local front-line grass-roots organisations and will help them to build social connections in and across our communities. These organisations bring people of all ages together.

£1.5 million has been split across Welsh local authorities, working in partnership with County Voluntary Councils, over the next three years and will help organisations run face-to-face activities safely and securely or continue online activities if access to venues is difficult or to reach people who are not ready to attend in-person events.

Welcoming the new three-year fund, Dawn Bowden MS said:

“I am delighted that the Welsh Labour Government has acknowledged the effect that loneliness and isolation can have on people.

“Many people across Merthyr Tydfil have suffered from loneliness and isolation over the last two years. As restrictions have eased, many remain concerned about going out and socialising with others.

“The new fund from the Welsh Labour Government will help alleviate some of these fears and will make a real difference to the lives of those affected by loneliness and isolation”