TACKLING loneliness among older people is the theme of a series of talks in Worcester.

'Tackling Loneliness: Insights from Worcestershire' will take place at the studio in the Hive on Thursday, May 19, between10.45am and 2pm.

The event is linked to Worcestershire County Council's groundbreaking 'Reconnections' scheme.

The Reconnections service has been operating since August 2015.

So far it has helped 600 people tackle loneliness.

Joan (not her real name), aged 76, said: "The Reconnections programme has boosted my confidence in enabling me to come out of my house.

"I feel that Christmas has come early, I am more animated and happier because of it."

The Reconnections service is provided by Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, together with local voluntary and community organisations. Reconnections covers the whole of Worcestershire and aims to reduce older people’s feelings of loneliness by reconnecting them with interests, sharing skills and activities in their local communities.

Speaking at the event will be The Rt Hon Robert Wilson MP, Minister for Civil Society, Cllr Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for health and well being, Richard Keble, WCC strategic commissioner – adult and health, Philip Talbot, chief executive of Age UK H&W, Ben Jupp, director at Reconnections and Alf Clay, a Reconnections service user

Worcestershire has a higher than national average older population with 18.7 per cent aged 65 and over compared to 16.3 per cent of the national population.

This number is set to increase by 30,000 people over the next 10 years.

The majority of Worcestershire’s 50,000 emergency hospital admissions relate to older people and those with long term health conditions.