An elderly people's charity took a message about isolation and tackling loneliness direct to 10 Downing Street.

Members of Camden’s Age UK’s book group were invited to Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

They met Culture Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, who unveiled government proposals to invest more in the creative industries to help the aged population.

But they also took the opportunity to tell her about their experiences as older people in Camden, to highlight the importance of the arts in dealing with loneliness.

“Her speech was enlightening,” Camden group member Caroline Want said afterwards. “I hope she manages 10 per cent of what she’s trying to do — that would be a major leap forward.”

More than half of all pensioners and older people registered with Camden Age UK live alone. Creative projects like their book group provides them with “a vital social lifeline”, the minister was told.

Age UK Camden’s community fundraiser Maria Robinson said afterwards: “Our book groups exist to tackle the isolation and loneliness faced by many older members of the community. They are an inspiring platform to share experiences, debate topics and marvel at the gift of literature in our lives.”

The book group meets monthly at the British Library in St Pancras, to share ideas and opinions on the latest novel and the themes that authors explore.

There are currently 28,000 people over 65 from Hampstead in the north to Holborn in the south, with the population expected to rise by nearly a quarter to 35,000 in the next decade and reaching 44,000 by 2036, the charity says.

Camden Age UK, with its offices at Parkway, Camden Town, has become the largest charity for the elderly in London, currently reaching 17,000 a year with counselling, befriending, dementia support and care advice. It is part of a nationwide network of charities tackling isolation among the growing older population.

But it has to rely on public donations to continue running its services. Wellwishers are being urged to help out with donations at www.ageukcamden.org.uk or to call 020-7239 0400.