Nearly a quarter of Britain’s disabled people suffer loneliness through government social care cuts and benefits changes, a charity’s research reveals.

Worst affected are those aged 18 to 34. Over a third of them feel lonely and more than three quarters say they face greater barriers than non-disabled people in making and sustaining friendships.

Overall, six per cent told charity Sense they have no friends at all.

Now Sense is urging councils to set up schemes to make socialising easier for people like wheelchair-bound Hayley Reed who lost her sight 12 years ago and has hearing problems. Hayley, of Rossendale, Lancs, said: “It’s awfully hard to make friends. When you’ve got a disability, it’s not easy.”

Mudie. K 2015  Sunday Mirror 08/03/2015 P. 11

“Many disabled people relied on their outreach workers as visitors and friends. They also relied on them for transport and an introduction into local groups and day care facilities. The funding for outreach workers and care services in the community has been slashed due to the cuts in county council funding. It’s appalling that people are ostracized this way in 2015.”