Befriending Networks and Befrienders Highland join forces to host the first Social Isolation and Loneliness in the Highlands Conference.

13th March 2026

On Tuesday 10th March, over fifty delegates from organisations across the Highlands gathered in Inverness to explore how they can work together to reduce loneliness in the region.

The event, a collaboration between Befriending Networks and Befrienders Highlands was developed in response to recent data that revealed worrying trends about loneliness in Highland communities. One third of single adults have experienced loneliness in the past week, while those in the most deprived areas are over twice as likely to experience feelings of loneliness.

Befriending, a relationship initiated and supported by an organisation to enable meaningful connections, can be a vital lifeline for those experiencing loneliness.

At the conference, delegates had a chance to share good practice, discuss the impact of befriending and explore how to stimulate support for further investment in befriending and other loneliness interventions. With representation from across the voluntary, community, enterprise and public sectors, it was a great environment for productive discussions around cross-sector collaboration to create better health outcomes for the region.

Keynote speakers included Jennifer Davies, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland. She gave an informative speech about the social connection as a building block to health. She built upon information which was presented by Susan Hunter, CEO of Befriending Networks who had talked about the inequalities in loneliness that are prevalent throughout Scotland. Susan brought attention to the Manifesto for Social Connection which calls on the next Scottish Government to commit to a 10-year framework, sustained investment in interventions which work to alleviate loneliness, and to declare loneliness as an urgent public health priority.

The conference also featured a video address from Scottish Government Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP. In her address, she said:

“Tackling social isolation and loneliness is a shared endeavour across society and it requires a shared commitment to resolve. The Scottish Government, local authorities, our NHS, the third and voluntary sectors and each of us as individuals all have a role. From supporting someone in a crisis situation, through formal befriending initiatives, to knocking on your neighbour’s door, there are a variety of interventions that can have transformational impacts.”

Morris Grant, Volunteer with Befrienders Highland participated in the conference and shared his insight into befriending:

“It’s a connection developed over several years that’s informal and gives them an opportunity to have a bit of fun, talk about things that bother them. It’s a change for them just being asked to fill out forms about their health. I chat to my two guys each week, we have fun and I rather enjoy their company, never mind me giving them company. I think what a lot of people might miss is that I also live alone and being a Befrienders Highland volunteer actually is good for me too”.

Judith Robertson, CEO of Befrienders Highland said:

“The conference was the start of a conversation about increasing awareness of the devastating impact of loneliness on the lives of people in our communities. When we combine data with lived experiences, it makes us all the more determined in our commitment to continuing to create space for cross-sector dialogue and action in intervening to prevent and alleviate loneliness in the Highlands.”

A full report from the conference will be available soon.