Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, joined over 100 guests at the House of Commons to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Community Network, the charity that works to tackle social isolation through the use of telephone support and befriending groups.
”We’re delighted that so many of Community Network’s supporters and beneficiaries, along with guests from the wider third sector, have come along to celebrate this important milestone in our organisation’s history,“ said Pat Fitzsimons, Community Network’s Chief Executive.
A number of quest speakers talked of the growing problem of social isolation and the work Community Network does to help isolated and marginalised people throughout the UK. The speakers included Gail Mountain, Professor of Health Services Research at Sheffield University; Dorothy Boswell, a facilitator for Parentline Plus; and Valerie Coleman of the Maritime Charities Funding Group, which is funding the award-winning Seafarers Link project that uses telephone befriending groups to support retired seafarers.
A large group of retired mariners who take part in the Seafarers Link project travelled down from Hull to attend the event and were warmly welcomed by the Home Secretary, who is also their local MP.
“I know of Community Network and the excellent work they do combating social isolation through the Seafarers Link group in my constituency,” said Mr Johnson. “The work of this small charity has a huge impact on the lives of vulnerable people and I wish them every success in the future.”
Community Network was established in 1990 following the success of a six-month research project into the social application of technology in Northern Ireland. Since then Community Network has grown and the telephone group model has become an essential service for many voluntary groups and individuals.
