No one is in this alone. But millions of people across the country say they’re experiencing feelings of loneliness – deprived of the chance to see family or friends. For those aged over 70 – who have been told to stay indoors – technology and grass roots community groups are now their contact with the outside world.
Ayshah Tull has been to East Sussex, which has a particularly high proportion of older residents, to find out how they’re coping.