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In recent months most of us have experienced greater isolation than we could ever have imagined. For some this unexpected solitude has been a welcome relief, a chance to reflect and take stock, but for others it has been accompanied by profound feelings of loneliness. Loneliness can affect people of any age, and most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives.

We hear from three different people in Wales about their experiences of loneliness. Zahra is a Muslim and made a new home in Cardiff aged forty-five when she was forced to flee from Iran. She found a route out of loneliness through a FAN (Friends and Neighbours) group in Canton.

University chaplain Rev. Sam Aldred tells us about loneliness in the student community, and we meet Katie, a young student who is missing her church community due to the Corona virus lockdown.

At St. Mary鈥檚 Malpas in Newport a Dementia Caf茅 run by Rev. Rebecca Stevens is reaching out to the isolated in her community. She discovered that it wasn鈥檛 only those suffering from dementia who were lonely, but their carers were too. Retired vicar Rev. Henry Davies tells us how the caf茅 has offered support.

We ask whether faith communities have something unique to offer when it comes to loneliness - does having a faith make any difference? Experts Rev. Professor James Woodward, Principal of Sarum College, Salisbury, and Dr Deborah Morgan, senior researcher at the Centre for Innovative Ageing at Swansea University, offer their perspectives.