As part of Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15 June 2025), partners across Charnwood hosted a “let’s meet loneliness together” market stall at Loughborough Market on Thursday 12 June where they spoke to more than 50 local people, offering support, advice and a friendly conversation.
The aim of the event was to reach local people, as they went about their day, who may not always get an opportunity to find out the support that is available for them.
Meg Bezzano-Griffiths, the manager of Fearon Hall in Loughborough, was one of the drivers behind the event. She said: “This event was part of the Charnwood Action on Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation plan and how we can start to break the stigma around loneliness. It is a normal emotion which we don’t need to feel embarrassed about. We just need to talk about it and build our own connections. I’ve had some amazing conversations today with people who were struggling, including a woman who was overwhelmed by multiple bereavements. She left us with a smile on her face and she’s coming to see us at Fearon Hall to get involved with our projects.”
The stall was also supported by local GP practices, the Bowel Screening Team at Glenfield Hospital, by Leicestershire County Council and by LPT’s neighbourhood lead, Sarah Jones.
Sarah said: “We’ve been so busy all day with people playing chess or Connect 4, building a sand model or simply talking to us. Today is just one part of the project to reduce loneliness across Charnwood, with more events to come. Our final event is our “Good Grub Social Club’s Social Supper” and we invite anyone who wants to come along to just turn up to Fearon Hall, Rectory Road on Thursday 19 June (5.30-7.30pm).”