A STUDY highlighting the risk of loneliness for older people in the city has been released.

According to the Age UK survey, the risk of loneliness for people aged 65 plus is far greater in areas such as Cathedral, Arboretum and Warndon than in St Peter’s, Claines, St Clement Ward, Bedwardine and Warndon Parish South.

Councillor Roger Knight (Conservative), who represents St Peter’s, said: “I am not surprised but I am very pleased to see that St Peter’s is one of the lowest ranked areas in the city for loneliness.

“There is good community spirit that has become apparent in the 27 years I have lived here. One demonstration of community spirit in the area is the St Peter’s Parish Festival – it really brings people together.”

Councillor Lynn Denham (Labour), who represents Cathedral ward, said: “The issue with Cathedral Ward is it is next to the city and because it is close to the city centre it doesn’t necessarily have the same sense of community inclusion as other areas.

“Plans for a community centre by the marina never came to fruition. Living close to the city centre and entertainment does not stop people from being lonely – it is feeling a sense of community, friends and family that combat loneliness.

“A lot of the rented houses have short tenancies so that would make it harder to get to know your neighbours.”

Councillor Stuart Denlegh-Maxwell (Conservative), who represents Claines, said: “We have no areas of great deprivation. People are comfortable, we have churches, tennis clubs and sports facilities and places people go out to and active pubs. There are a number of lunch clubs. I can see why they say what they say about Claines.

“Claines is not an affluent area - it is mainly a young area that has got a strong sense of community.”

He added that loneliness is difficult to generalise as a “desperately lonely” person may not appear to be in need of companionship.

The relative risk of loneliness is based on the Census 2011 figures for the factors of marital status,self-reported health status, age and household size. The four factors predict around 20 per cent of the loneliness observed amongst older people 65 plus.

To view the study go to ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/policy-research/loneliness-research-and-resources/loneliness-maps.