Since the early days of his ordination the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Carey have offered hospitality to people who found themselves alone during the year and especially at the time of the Church's great festivals, Easter and Christmas. It is therefore with great pleasure that the Archbishop has sent the following message of support to the No One Alone Campaign.

"It is an essential part of the message of Christ that no one is alone. We are all children of God, all equally prized, all loved by Him.

"But making a reality of that here on earth is far from simple. Too many people feel cut off from their neighbours and their communities. And too often that is not just a feeling but a reality - for the old and the infirm, the troubled and the isolated.

"To be true to the Christian message, we are all called upon to make others welcome, to open the doors of our hearts and our homes, our churches and our community centres.

"And what better time to do that than as we celebrate the new Christian Millennium?

"That is exactly what the No One Alone Campaign seeks to do, and that is why I am delighted to offer it my blessing, my prayers and my warmest support."

Notes to editors

The No One Alone Campaign aims to make sure that no one is lonely on the eve of the new Millennium.