By pledging to help people Stay Connected, organisations need to demonstrate their commitment to tackling loneliness by adopting seven principles which will help them to support others:

1. recognise that loneliness and feelings of isolation can be an issue within communities and workplaces, and there are several things that can be done which can have a positive impact on others
2. identify any barriers to participation and where possible try to address these
3. welcome new people to ensure that everyone feels welcomed, valued, and treated with respect
4. ensure good communications
5. provide signposting to services and support
6. allow opportunities for feedback
7. reach out to people you haven’t seen and/or heard from in a while

Organisations are also encouraged to consider implementing an additional four principles, which are optional:

8. offer a mentoring or buddy scheme
9. support and enhance opportunities for volunteering
10. support staff and volunteers to complete relevant training
11. ensure that loneliness awareness is part of employee wellbeing and embedded at an organisational level within policies

Once you have signed and dated the pledge you will be awarded the ‘Stay Connected’ logo which you can use on any marketing and publications and will be listed as a partner under the ‘organisations who have signed up’ section below. You will be also provided with local and national signposting information.

Your registration will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure these measures are still being implemented.

If your organisation or team would like to be part of Stay Connected and want to help put an end to loneliness, please download the pledge (PDF), sign and date and return it to HWBAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk.

• Adult Learning – Worcestershire County Council
• Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest
• Age UK Wyvern
• Artists Clubhouse
• Becoming Families
• Bradley Haynes Law
• Bromsgrove District Council
• Community First (and Wellbeing and Recovery College)
• Droitwich Wellbeing Hub
• Droitwich Spa CVS
• Freedom Leisure
• Gather & Grow
• Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System
• Hollywood & Wythall Stronger Together
• Kyrebrook Daycare Centre
• Link Nurseries
• Lyppard Hub
• Malvern Cube
• Malvern Green Space
• Malvern Town Football Club
• Nurseplus Care at Home
• Onside Advocacy
• Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre
• Redditch Borough Council
• Seetec Pluss
• S.T.A.R.S. Adult Day Care Centre Worcester
• Simply Limitless
• South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind
• Starting Well Partnership
• Starting Well Wyre Forest Parenting and Community Team
• St Vincent de Paul Society (Evesham and Droitwich)
• The Bramblewood Project CIC
• The Wolverley Memorial Charitable Trust
• Theartsboxgroup.co.uk
• Worcestershire Association of Carers
• Worcester Community Trust 
• Worcestershire County Association of Local Councils
• Worcestershire County Council
• Worcestershire County Cricket Club
• Worcestershire Libraries
• Wychavon District Council
• Wyre Forest District Council
• Zest4Life Conversation and Laughter

Sarah Dugan, Chief Executive, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

"As the main provider of mental health services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we recognise the impact loneliness and other social factors can play in person's overall wellbeing and so we are delighted to be signing the Stay Connected pledge."

Simon Trickett, Chief Executive Officer, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System

"The pandemic has shown us that no matter your age, anyone can get feelings of loneliness. It's great to see so many options of support available and I would encourage anyone who does experience loneliness to explore the range of activities on offer."

Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

"The pledge will demonstrate to people that as an organisation we are committed to tackling loneliness and supporting people to stay connected."

• Bromsgrove District Council
• Freedom Leisure
• Malvern Hills District Council
• Malvern Hills Good Neighbour Network
• Pershore Craft and Chat
• Redditch Borough Council
• Sandycroft Centre
• The Chattery, All Saints’ Church, Bromsgrove
• YMCA Worcestershire
• YSS (Youth Support Services)