Janet Finch-Saunders:

I’d like to pay tribute to the Member—Caroline, Assembly Member—for bringing this here today. The effects upon someone’s mental well-being as a result of loneliness and isolation can be devastating. The older people’s commissioner has identified isolation amongst older people as a key public health issue. Seventy-five thousand older people in Wales feel lonely, with almost half of those saying their television or a pet was their main, and sometimes often only companion. Yet it is not always older people. Loneliness and social isolation can affect anyone of any age, and it is essential that we don’t forget the impact that this can have on a person’s physical and mental well-being: despair, depression, introversion, confusion, even malnutrition and dehydration, as quite often motivation to carry on living is often impaired.

Today, I would like to call on the Minister in the Welsh Government to ensure that we do have some practical solutions. Day centres can break the monotony of living alone and allow for social engagement, but, quite often, people cannot access them, so I would like to see more support given for our community transport infrastructure. The funding is required for that so that people can actually access these facilities. We need a joined-up approach. I would like to pay tribute to Esther Rantzen, actually, who, four years ago, provided a telephone service that you can phone, and it’s called the Silver Line. Pensioners can chat, for advice or support, or to report abuse. It’s an 0800 number, it’s freely available, and I really think we as politicians should be encouraging our constituents to perhaps engage more. All I know is that working with Welsh Government, we as Assembly Members, but working with these individuals who really—. As, Caroline, you indicated earlier, there but for the grace of God go us and, maybe, in years to come, there will we go.