Finding the cour-age to make new friends

One in five older people in the UK admits to feelings of loneliness – and this only intensifies at Christmas. What is causing this crisis and how can we combat the sense of isolation?

LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

Q‘I’m 61 and have just moved from London to Scotland to start a new life. The scenery is breathtaking but my social life… less so. I’ve always been “the nice one” – helpful, upbeat, unfailingly polite

Take a moment for YOU this festive season

THAT FEELING OF BEING ON THE OUTSIDE, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE WITH EVERYONE? YOU’RE NOT IMAGINING IT – AND IT CAN CHANGE. HERE’S HOW TO GET THE FEELING OF CONNECTION BACK

I started my career as a news journalist, working in frantic newsrooms and reporting on key events. But my heart was always in health – I enjoy writing about things that benefit people, rather than si