In February, The Guardian ran a feature on the UKs first LGBTQ+ affirmative retirement community, run by and for the community. Many members of the community contributed to the article, speaking of their need to feel safe and welcome, in an environment where they would not experience discrimination or bullying.

The Campaign to End Loneliness reports:

• The number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6.
• This compares to around 1.4 million in 2016/7 – a 49% increase in 10 years.

Research by Stonewall suggests that older LGBTQ+ people are even more likely to experience loneliness and they are more likely to be single, live alone and have mental health issues than their straight counterparts. These are all factors which contribute to loneliness.