An Ashby resident has set up a group on social media to combat loneliness during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sam Killip, 22, founded the Facebook group to attempt to reach out to people in the local area who might be struggling with lockdown.

With three national lockdowns in the space of a year, millions of people have been forced to change their lifestyles by remaining at home where possible and being unable to visit friends and family members.

"I have a condition called dyspraxia. This does provide challenges to me. I try to surround myself with people who are of an understanding nature that really get that sometimes I might be a bit over reactionary. I might say something that might be perceived as not being on the popular wavelength so to speak. So to me it's about finding individuals that understand and will take the time to actually give the platform to make a mistake; to learn and connect with people," said Sam.

Dyspraxia, commonly known as Developmental Coordination Disorder, is a learning disability that according to the Dyspraxia Foundation is thought to affect five per cent of the population. It is more prevalent in boys and affects fine motor skills as well as perception and thought.

Despite living with his parents, Sam has still struggled with loneliness over the last few months.

He added: "I think even sometimes it can be lonely if you feel that people don't really relate to the thoughts that are in your head, and there's no more isolating feeling than people not being on the same wavelength as you."

Sam hopes that his group will unite the community and help people feel less isolated.

He said: "I set up the page really to try and connect with people who might feel lonely, who might not really go out very much and just to help give them someone to talk to because they might feel very isolated.

"I think I was just hoping to just connect with people really to help people who might feel the way I've felt quite a few times. It's been quite an isolating time."

Anyone is welcome to join the group and if they wish to do so they should go to: Let's End Loneliness in Ashby.