2026 Shortlisted Nominee
Positive Role Model Award: Age
Anne Anderson grew up in a dysfunctional family and lived in survival mode until the age of 48, when she rebuilt her life through education. She gained Level 2 Maths and English, completed an Access course, graduated from Winchester University with a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing, and qualified as a teacher for international students. As a long term loneliness sufferer, during lockdown, she witnessed widespread loneliness in Bournemouth and it spurred her wounded/healer heart to found Chitter Chatter Chats and a Loneliness Recovery Programme in 2022. The initiative has grown to 52 clubs, supported by 23 incredible volunteers and more than 13,000 new attendees. Anne also authored Our Journeys Through Loneliness."