WITH the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro having started last Friday, the British Red Cross and the Co-op are calling people to get together with neighbours and watch the games — as a way to help combat loneliness and isolation.

The charity hopes that communities will recall the positive feelings created by the 2012 Olympics and use this year’s games as a catalyst to talk with people who may be feeling alone, to watch major events together.

Colin Brown, British Red Cross director for Independent Living and Crisis Response, said: “It’s simple – all we’re asking people to do is to strike up a conversation with their neighbour. It’s proven that people don’t do this anymore, so the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the perfect opportunity to start. An event like this gives the community a shared sense of passion — a common ground so you can start a chat.”

Research by the Co-op indicates that millions of people find it difficult to admit they feel lonely, and 43% say they have not spoken a word to their neighbours in the last week. Some neighbours have never even said hello to one another.

Despite nearly half of those surveyed knowing a neighbour who lives alone, reasons not to start a conversation include a fear of causing offence (57 percent) and feeling uncomfortable because they see people as ‘preferring to keep to themselves’.

Colin continued: “You can invite a neighbour around for a cup of tea to watch the opening ceremonies, athletics or wheelchair basketball. Who wouldn’t want to share that moment of joy when the likes of Greg Rutherford or Ellie Simmonds clinch victory for Great Britain? Sharing this experience with your neighbour could be making a huge difference to someone’s life.”

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Corporate-support/Corporate-partners/Co-op