ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a shadow report by the Loneliness Action Group which calls on the Government to ensure that there is long-term action on the impact of loneliness.
The report 'A connected society? Assessing progress in tackling loneliness' published today (19th September) makes a number of recommendations, including calls for the government to begin measuring the impact of its policies on loneliness and invest in community spaces and support activities which enable connection.
ACS is a member of the Loneliness Action Group, a platform for charities, businesses and other organisations to come together to develop ideas and act to tackle loneliness in local communities.
Findings from ACS’ Colleague Survey show that providing social interaction is one of the top three things that people working in the sector see as important to the local community.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Convenience stores have a unique reach into their local communities and play a key role in the lives of their customers.
“Our sector not only provides essential products and services to the communities that they serve, they also provide a source of social interaction for people visiting the store, especially those who may be more vulnerable or isolated.”
The Community Barometer found that coffee shops, pubs and convenience stores were seen as the three services that play the most important role in reducing loneliness for people in a local area due to the social nature of those businesses.
The 2019 Local Shop Report shows that 24% of customers know the people running and working in the local shop quite well.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Loneliness will also conduct a loneliness inquiry over the next year.
The full report is available here.
