A new project has been launched to tackle youth isolation in Scotland

Four in ten youngsters often feel lonely, new research has revealed.

Concerns about the amount of young people in Scotland who feel vulnerable has led to a project being launched which will tackle youth isolation.

The Youth Loneliness initiative is being managed by Young Scot and supported through a £30,000 grant from the Co-op Foundation.

Research conducted in preparation for the project found that 39% of young people in Scotland say they are lonely more than half of the time. Only 12% stated they were never lonely.

Being held to mark the Year of Young People 2018, the project will involve up to 50 young people aged 15-24 in two teams, working in two different areas of Scotland. The teams will be exploring loneliness and its causes in young people before publishing a report, with analysis and recommendations being revealed in late 2018.

Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot said: “Young people often speak to us about loneliness and how it affects their lives. Thanks to the support of the Co-op Foundation, this project is a wonderful opportunity to look at the issue of loneliness during the Year of Young People 2018.

“The loneliness action teams will take the lead and have the space to explore the issues on their own terms and from their own point of view. Young people know their own experiences they are the best source of ideas to help reduce youth loneliness.”

Recruitment for the project will begin in early 2018 but anyone interesting in getting involved can email [email protected] for more information.