The purpose of the report is to share the work of the loneliness programme to date including insights into the impact of loneliness in Tower Hamlets, progress on delivery of the action plan that has been put in place and how this will proceed as conditions recover. It also discusses the impact of the Covid-19 emergency social distancing measures and the positive community mobilisation that has resulted. This provides a significant opportunity to sustain and embed strengthened community networks and increased levels of volunteering and neighbourliness through the Council`s recovery and reconstitution programme and our work with partners in Tower Hamlets Together, the community sector and the wider community.

The report will make a number of recommendations that prioritise tackling loneliness and isolation as a strategic issue, a focus for service areas and an important theme in the Council`s work with key partners.