A MULTI-MILLION pound project has been officially launched to tackle social isolation in Torfaen which is said to be gripped by a “loneliness epidemic”.

Last month, the British Red Cross and Co-op submitted evidence to a Welsh Government inquiry which said that along with Carmarthenshire, Conwy and Newport, Torfaen is one of four loneliness hotspots across Wales.

Three British Red Cross Community Connectors are set to work across the two Gwent areas to help combat the issue, strengthening ties and breaking down barriers.

Suzanne Parry-Price, who lives in Pontypool, joins the British Red Cross after four years of working for the Garnsychan Partnership, an opportunity and enterprise charity, as a volunteer coordinator.

The mother-of-two, 48, will be working across Torfaen and has two decades of experience working for an opticians in the Torfaen community.

She said: “Throughout my career, I’ve dealt with people from all walks of life and, at Garnsychan especially, I dealt with people with low skills who were looking for training to help them get back into work.

“I like working with people. I have the sort of personality type that is suited to helping people because I need to have a sense of purpose and to feel that there is an end benefit to what I’m doing.

“That involved helping them build up their confidence so that experience will cross over quite nicely for my work with Red Cross Community Connectors.”

The service was devised following the publication of a joint British Red Cross and Co-op report, revealing epidemic levels of loneliness and social isolation.

Research from the two organisations found that more than nine million adults of all ages feeling always or often lonely in the UK.

In response, Co-op members and customers have now raised more than £6 million to help tackle this serious and widespread issue.

Mrs Parry-Price added: “It’s all about supporting people and motivating people to try and achieve what they want to achieve, to help people get back out into the world and feel like they are part of the community again.

“I’ve worked with people of all ages and I know it’s important that you identify what the individual person wants and needs and create a plan around that.

“In Torfaen, there are lots of groups, activities and social hubs. There are lots of small charities and, in places like Cwmbran and Pontypool, the public libraries are in the centre of the towns.

“We’re finding new things all the time. It’s just knowing where to look. Not knowing what is out there can be the biggest barrier for people who are lonely or isolated, especially if they have mobility issues or don’t have the IT skills to go online and find out what’s happening locally.

“That’s where we can help. By getting to know the people we are helping and matching their interests and needs to what exists in the community around them, we can help break the cycle of loneliness and isolation.”

Mrs Parry-Price will be working alongside Gareth Lewis and Sandra Watts, who will be the Community Connectors in Newport.

For information about Red Cross Community Connectors in Torfaen and volunteering opportunities email ConnectTorfaen@redcrosscross.org.uk or call 01633 245750 or visit redcross.org.uk for details.