More must be done to fight the scourge of loneliness

‘The government needs to be aware of this serious problem. Standing back with fingers crossed will not do.’ Photograph: Tero Vesalainen/Alamy

Your editorial on loneliness (8 May) says that “opportunities for people to meet and build relationships have vanished as libraries, youth centres and swimming pools have shut”.

I worked in both public and school libraries in London in the mid-1970s to 80s. The library space provided a haven for many – of all ages – challenged by loneliness, isolation or obvious impairments. My strongest memories of those years are chatting with our members who needed regular human contact. School library services are now hugely reduced, and public libraries open until 8pm are not the norm. I returned to UK library work in the late 1990s, not long before library closures started. Local authority funding continues to diminish; the coronation’s Big Help Out day seemed trite and patronising.
Julia Edwards
Winchester