John Samways

The Story of Active and in Touch Frome 2011-2021: A Community's Response to Loneliness John Samways

The coronavirus pandemic has not only been terrifying-it has been revealing. In April 2020, Oliver Dowden, a member of parliament in the United Kingdom, said, "Coronavirus and social distancing have forced all of us to look loneliness in the eye. Recognizing the signs and tackling the stigma has never been more important." The Story of Active and In Touch Frome recounts the extraordinary way "a whim of an idea" was planted in the local community of Frome in eastern Somerset, England, in 2011. The following decade witnessed a series of serendipitous moments that prepared a local charity to confront the unimaginable challenges of the pandemic. In June, A& IT received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the United Kingdom. Although this story focuses upon a local charity, it highlights how every community can muster the courage to "look loneliness in the eye" and help to build greater community cohesion.