THIS June, we mark Loneliness Awareness Week.

In my last couple of columns, I’ve talked about mental health and voluntary groups, both of which play a massive part in tackling loneliness in our society. I want to use this column to raise awareness loneliness across our borough.

Loneliness can impact any one at any time. Across our country one in four adults report feeling lonely often, always or some of the time. Despite growing up in an increasingly interconnected world, where communication with others is immediately available, loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent amongst young people, coinciding with the rise of poor mental health.

In Barnsley, around 7.5 per cent of people reported feeling lonely often or always, with many more saying they feel lonely some of the time. This means that when you’re at work, at home or seeing your friends and family, chances are that one of you has felt lonely in some form recently.

There are many reasons why an individual may feel lonely such as life changes and health issues. There are also wider societal causes such as digital exclusion, poverty and economic insecurity. Locally, in Barnsley, we have seen our social fabric change rapidly over the last forty years.

Our mining industry didn’t just provide stable employment for tens of thousands; it gave our people a shared sense of purpose, by powering a nation and prospering together.

Mining was also the centre for most of our social infrastructure, giving Barnsley people places to come together. Although many of these institutions still do fantastic work in bringing local people together, that collective purpose amongst our community has faded with the loss of industry something which I believe has contributed to loneliness in our local area.

As a minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, tackling loneliness is part of my responsibilities. As such, I get the privilege of seeing the fantastic work that happens the length and breadth of the country, but I just want to highlight some of the organisations operating locally to help people across Barnsley.

B:Friend in Barnsley are a great charity who are work to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people, delivering one-to-one befriending and weekly social club activities to older people across the area.

Organisations offering services or activities, such as Age UK Barnsley, BIADS, YMCA Barnsley and many more, are crucial in offering a space for people to meet some together with others in the local area. Age UK Barnsley often put on physical activity sessions to help older people keep their confidence up; and their Elizabeth Activity and Care Centre provides a dedicated space for over 50s who need extra support with health conditions, mobility challenges and social isolation.

Loneliness impacts all ages and a few weeks ago, I met with young people from across Barnsley to hear their views, concerns and ideas about loneliness and social isolation at an event held at Chilypep in the town centre.

Tackling loneliness is a whole society problem, without one single solution and tackling loneliness and improving connection is something that runs through all the work that the government does.

Thank you to all in our community who support those who are at risk of feeling lonely, and for working to bring Barnsley together.