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About us
Raising awareness of loneliness and encouraging connection
Who we are
Marmalade Trust is an award-winning loneliness charity for all ages, specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. We are a small charity with a big mission – and the momentum is growing. Since 2013, we have directly helped thousands of people and have reached millions more. Our mission is simple: to create a society where we recognise that loneliness exists and support each other to make new connections.
What we do
Marmalade Trust supports people experiencing loneliness in three ways:
Connection projects
Christmas Cheer brings joy and companionship to those on their own on Christmas Day. This includes lunch in a local restaurant and a hamper full of gifts. We offer doorstep visits to those unable to leave their homes. Marmalade Companions is a phone-based service supporting people to form lasting connections in their community with highly personalised signposting to social activities.
Awareness campaigns
We launched Loneliness Awareness Week in 2017. Our annual campaign aims to reduce the stigma associated with loneliness and raise awareness across the UK and around the world. The campaign is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations about loneliness. Thousands of events have been hosted across the country and we've reached hundreds of millions of people globally with our campaign messages.
Training and resources
We host webinars and share practical guides to help people understand loneliness, how to manage it, and how to find meaningful connections. We work closely with schools, offering free, interactive, and engaging lesson plans, assemblies, and resources which help EYFS, primary, and secondary learners deepen their understanding of loneliness.
Why we started
Marmalade Trust was started in 2013 by healthcare professional Amy Perrin. Through the nature of her work, Amy was always aware of loneliness and she wanted to do something to change the stigma around it and help to build a more connected society. Since we launched we have directly helped thousands of people and have reached millions more. Loneliness is no longer seen as something that only older people experience and we’re now raising awareness of loneliness across all demographics in society.
What is Marmalade's mantra?
Loneliness is completely normal – we are human beings who need social connection to survive! There is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Whatever your experience of loneliness is, there are always things you can do or support available to help you feel more connected.
Who's talking about us?
We have received press coverage from major UK local and national TV and radio channels: BBC Breakfast, LBC, Talk Radio, BBC Bristol, BBC News, ITV News as well as international media such as Bloomberg and news channels in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. We have been featured in national newspapers such as The Guardian and The Telegraph as well as regional titles like The Bristol Post.
How we're different
As pioneers in loneliness, Marmalade’s approach is approachable, warm, practical and inclusive. With over fifteen years of expertise and experience working in the field of loneliness, we focus on the people first and always honour the positive value of the human experience. At Marmalade Trust we like to think of ourselves as a family, a unique community-based charity with a global reach!
Why the Marmalade Trust?
The name was actually inspired by Paddington Bear! As a child, Amy's teddy bear was her ‘buddy’ who came along and kept her company. We believe a teddy bear is your first friend, the one you tell all your stories and worries to. We also admire the qualities of Paddington Bear: friendly, proactive and who has a smile and a hello for everyone. These are the pillars on which the charity is built (as well as Paddington and Amy’s fondness for getting people together over food).
How to get involved...
From sponsored runs to cake sales, fundraising is a brilliant way to support our charity.
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