Population is older and lonelier

There are projects to tackle exclusion and isolation amongst the elderly

People living in Devon and Cornwall are generally older and lonelier than elsewhere in the UK, according to research commissioned by the BBC.

The Changing UK survey found that Cornwall has highest number of people of pensionable age in the UK and the lowest number of children under five.

Devon has the second highest percentage of people after London who feel lonely where they live.

The research was carried out by the University of Sheffield.

Dads I speak to use the word depressed, not knowing anyone else in that position just makes it difficult Bob Grieg, single parent

It found that since the late 1960s British society has been segregating geographically, with high numbers of young people concentrated in some areas and older people in others.

Since 2001 that segregation has accelerated.

Gilly Haystream, from Upstream, a Devon organisation which tackles exclusion and isolation amongst the elderly, said: "It's a time bomb.

"As the population gets older these people will be more and more of a drain on health services when they don't need to be and don't want to be."

Breadline poor

Bob Grieg is a single parent from south Devon who started a website to link isolated single fathers together:

"Dads I speak to use the word depressed. It just gets too much and not knowing anyone else in that position just makes it difficult."

People in Devon and Cornwall are also getting worse off.

The level of "breadline poor" went up by about 10% between 1980 and 2000.

Donna Edworthy, from Exeter, cares full-time for her partner, who is registered disabled, as well as looking after her young son.

She said: "By the time we've paid our bills and debts and bought stuff for the baby, we're lucky if we've got £10 left between us a week."

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