A £70,000 grant will support local young people suffering from high levels of loneliness due to complex issues in their lives.

A project, being launched by Hampshire youth charity No Limits, is expected to support over 200 young people who will engage in social action to tackle loneliness for themselves and their peers.

They will be involved in activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, to make a positive difference in their communities, while developing their own skills and knowledge.

By the end of the two-year project, it’s hoped that many young people in Southampton will understand more about loneliness, and youth workers will be better equipped to tackle it.

The funding comes from a £40 million joint investment from the Big Lottery Fund, using National Lottery funding, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

The Co-op Foundation, which has been tackling youth loneliness through its UK-wide Belong network of partners since 2017, is acting as a match funder.

Annabel Hodgson, CEO of No Limits said: “This is an exciting new project which tackles head on the rising problem of loneliness among young people. By inviting young people to take part in social action – be it fundraising, campaigning or volunteering – we are empowering them to make a change for themselves and others. I look forward to seeing how the young people grow in confidence as they take part in these activities.”

Jim Cooke, head of the Co-op Foundation, said: “Good quality youth social action has a double benefit, making a positive impact on the young people who take part, and supporting others in their community. We’re delighted to be funding such innovative projects today through the #iwill Fund that will help increase young people’s skills and confidence, build stronger communities and help tackle difficult transitions that we know can increase the chances of loneliness.”