Tackling loneliness through coffee and cake

A coffee morning in memory of Jo Cox MP was held at the headquarters of Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey last Friday to celebrate her life. 171018

The event, on the anniversary of the murder of MP Jo Cox on Friday, was organised by John Healey MP and Linda McAvan MEP.

It was part of the Great Get Together, a series of neighbourhood celebrations aimed at bringing people together.

Mr Healey said: “People who had never met before sat together, talked together, and laughed together — which is exactly what Jo would have wanted.”

Ms McAvan said: “Jo’s murder was the worst day for politics in our country, so a year on it is heartwarming to see so many people around the country coming together to remember Jo and celebrate her belief that we have more in common.”

The sale of cakes, tea and coffee, a raffle and tombola raised £365 for the Jo Cox Foundation.

Iain Cloke, from Age UK Rotherham, was also at the coffee morning.

Before Mrs Cox was killed, she had begun work on a cross-party campaign aimed at talking about and tackling loneliness, and after her death colleagues and family members set up a Commission on Loneliness.