Report puts Bristol as second worst city for social isolation

Bristol is the second worst city in the country for social isolation according to a recent report. Loneliness can damage both mental and physical health, so the Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb is urging us all to offer our support.

Heart disease, blood clots and dementia - the chances of any these can increase if you are lonely at home. That's according to a report by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Faye Menefy had worked for years as a nurse and then after she retired spent her days looking after her grand-daughter. But when her grand-daughter went to school she was left with many hours alone.

Thankfully the Beehive Centre in Whitehall in Bristol opened the door to a new world not just for the 75 year old but for many others too. Thai Chi is just one of the activities on offer.

June O'Connor had just had chemotherapy hours before attending this class. She described it as her lifeline.

Mike Brambley has been coming every week for the last nine months. He lives alone and his family don't live nearby.

But it's not just retired people who are affected. Balbeer Nirwan is a development worker here but her job has helped her overcome her own bad health.

Places like the Beehive Centre do exisit across Bristol but it takes confidence to step inside. Confidence which has often been lost by being along for too long.

The message is if you do know someone who is feeling lonely do what you can to encourage them to get involved. Not only is it good for health, they may even have some fun too.