It can be hard dealing with the turmoil of moving home but moving to a new area, where you know no-one, makes it even harder. Follow these ten steps to overcome moving related loneliness.

1.You may not want to be best friends with your neightbours but it is important to have a good relationship with them. Buy or make a dozen announcement cards and use them to let your neighbours know who you are - tell them as much as you are comfortable revealing.

2. Use the announcement cards to invite your neighbours around. Suggest a few dates and times - one morning, one afternoon and one evening. Keep it simple just ask them for coffee and cake.

3. Think about your interests and hobbies and look for a local organisation or club where you can go to meet like minded people.

4. It will be tempting to stay indoors and hide yourself away but please don't! Get out everyday. If you don't run/jog go for a walk instead. Greet the people you meet - make eye contact and smile.

5. Look at the local newspaper to see what is going on. There are always requests for help, usually on a volunteer basis. If you see a request for something you can do - volunteer.

6. Look out for other new people moving into your street and pop a card into their letterbox to say Hello - remembering how much you would have welcomed such a card when you first moved.

7. If you have children or a partner encourage them to follow steps 1-6 to expand your network of contacts.

8. Don't lose touch with your old friends. Invite them to visit you for a day or overnight and take them around your new town to show them the sights.

9. Know that we need to give out to the world that which we would like to receive back. If you want to be befriended you must also be prepared to be a friend.

10. Guard your attitude. You can choose to view your move as a trial to be borne and suffered or you can view it as a great adventure - the choice is yours.

Attitude really is everything - stay bright and positive, join in and don't wait for people to contact you. Do keep in touch with old friends but invite them to visit you, don't be tempted to scurry back to your old stomping ground too soon.

Get to know your neighbourhood - ask questions of the person who sold or let your accommodation to you - and don't put yourself at risk. Save an ICE (In Case of Emergency) telephone number on your mobile telephone and be sensible without being fearful - there really are a lot more good people out there than bad!