To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details on the implementation of its social isolation and loneliness strategy, “Recovering our Connections 2023-2026”, particularly in relation to urban areas. (S6O-04146)

The Scottish Government acknowledges that loneliness is a public health issue that impacts people across Scotland. Our December budget confirmed funding in 2025-26 to support projects tackling social isolation and loneliness through our social isolation and loneliness fund. The fund supports the delivery of our social isolation and loneliness delivery plan, and we are providing £3.8 million over three years to 53 community projects across Scotland that provide opportunities for people to connect. Of those 53 funded organisations, 26 are based in urban areas such as Edinburgh, Glasgow—where the member has his Constituency—Aberdeen, Stirling and Inverness.

I thank the Minister for her detailed response. There are a number of excellent organisations and community groups in my Constituency and across Scotland that do so much to combat isolation, especially during the Christmas and festive period. There are too many groups in Glasgow Pollok to mention them all. However, I give a special mention to Southwest Arts and Music Project—SWAMP—Glasgow, Tea in the Pot, Govan craft cafe and the many faith organisations and groups in my constituency.

Does the minister agree with me that local community organisations play a vital role in combating isolation and loneliness, often supporting people whom other services cannot reach? Will she join me in congratulating the staff and, crucially, volunteers in my Glasgow Pollok constituency, and across Scotland, for their invaluable service in helping to combat loneliness and isolation this Christmas and during the festive period?

I agree with the member. He mentioned Tea in the Pot; I am aware that my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice has visited that excellent service.

I thank the people of Pollok for their tenacity, resilience and community spirit. The Scottish Government recognises—as do I, personally—the contribution that is made by community-based organisations in responding to local needs. Community activity brings positive changes to people’s lives, and that is why the Government remains a strong advocate for the third sector. We remain committed to empowering communities to do things for themselves and make their voices heard in the planning and delivery of services.

Christmas is a happy time for many, but for some it can be the most difficult and lonely time of the year. Social isolation services, such as befriending, have been shown to greatly improve wellbeing. Can the Minister advise us how the Scottish Government is ensuring that people who need those services are offered them, including through referrals from other public services such as the national health service and schools?

We have identified priority groups for the social isolation and loneliness fund, including young people, disabled people, people with a mental health condition, older people and people living in areas of deprivation or on a low income. Alongside members of the advisory group, we are analysing the impact of the fund, which has reached just over 11,000 people in year 1. Our delivery plan also contains a number of actions, across Government and beyond, that aim to stimulate activity to help to tackle the stigma associated with loneliness and to provide opportunities for people to connect.