Tracey Crouch, who was civil society minister during Theresa May’s premiership, has been appointed to the board of the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up a decade ago to support communities and tackle loneliness following the murder of MP Jo Cox.

She is one of two former Conservative ministers appointed as a trustee for the charity this week.

Joining Crouch on the charity’s board is Seema Kennedy, who served as a minister in Theresa May’s and Boris Johnson’s governments involving stints covering immigration, public health and primary care, and as May’s parliamentary private secretary.

Both were involved in policy around tackling loneliness during their parliamentary career.

Crouch was appointed by May to the then newly created role of minister for loneliness, and Kennedy set up the cross-party Commission on Loneliness with Jo Cox, which she continued with after the Labour MP’s murder. This led to the creation of the government’s loneliness strategy and Crouch’s appointment.

“I always felt it a real privilege to have been the first loneliness minister and while I was appointed to do a job, I got so much out of it personally,” said Crouch.

“By joining the Jo Cox Foundation board, I feel like I get to give something back and help continue to the conversation on loneliness at a time when we need action more than ever”

Kennedy added: “It is an honour to join the Board of The Jo Cox Foundation as we approach the tenth anniversary of Jo’s death.

“Jo was not only a colleague but a powerful champion for those experiencing loneliness, and I was proud to work alongside her in establishing the Commission on Loneliness to bring this issue into the national conversation.

“While important progress has been made, loneliness continues to affect millions of people across our communities.

“I look forward to supporting the Foundation’s work to carry forward Jo’s legacy and to ensure that connection, compassion and community remain at the heart of public life.”

Crouch stood down as an MP at the 2024 general election following her successful recovery from cancer that had given her “an opportunity to pause and reflect on my own personal priorities”.

She quit as minister for civil society, loneliness and sport in 2018 over a delay by the government in changes to betting rules.

Jo Cox Foundation chief executive Olivia Field said: “I am particularly moved to see some of the original players—those who were instrumental in securing the world’s first loneliness strategy and the first Minister herself—coming back together through The Jo Cox Foundation.

“Their expertise, combined with this renewed momentum, is exactly what the country needs right now to ensure no one feels they have to face life alone.”

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