A charity has warned of a loneliness epidemic among parents.

Home-Start Winchester has released survey findings showing more than four in five parents in the South East feel lonely or isolated.

The survey, commissioned by Home-Start UK and conducted by YouGov, highlights the urgent need to address loneliness among families.

Parents reportedly feel cut off from the wider community, with social isolation negatively impacting their mental health.

Financial strains, worsened by inflation, have led many families to reduce social activities, further exacerbating their isolation.

Parents of young children have cited physical distance from family and friends as a significant contributor to their loneliness and have expressed a desire for more community-based support.

Home-Start Winchester is joining a new national campaign called "We answer the cries you don't hear," aimed at raising awareness of the isolation faced by new parents.

The campaign features the charity's first-ever TV advertisements to raise awareness of Home-Start among potential supporters—volunteers, donors, or campaigners.

The three new films focus on maternal mental health, the impact of the cost of living on families, and the grief experienced by parents with young children, posing the question: Who is there for parents in crisis?

Home-Start Winchester and Districts, which supports families and children within a twelve-mile radius of Winchester, is appealing for more donations to sustain its essential work.

The charity has been helping families for over 30 years, offering practical and emotional support through a network of trained volunteers.

Stephanie Durrant, chair of Home-Start Winchester and Districts said: "This survey paints a painful picture of a loneliness crisis in parenthood. Even though we are more digitally connected than ever, too many parents are missing meaningful connections with other adults, and this is having a devastating impact on their ability to cope as well as on child development.

"In the past year, Home-Start Winchester and Districts has supported 125 families which is an increase of 21 per cent on the previous year. There has been a 28 per cent increase in referrals due to mental health, a 42 per cent increase due to social isolation and a 19 per cent increase in referrals for families requiring support with finances and household debt."