Hospitals join effort to help people beat loneliness
ANEW initiative is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of lonely people in Southport.
Southport and Ormskirk hospitals are supporting the mission to combat loneliness.
All patients will be given a booklet of contact details for organisations from which they can seek help for loneliness on their discharge from either of the hospitals.
The idea to produce a booklet came after local politician Terry Durrance realised that there was a difficulty in contacting people who are experiencing loneliness and providing them with the information for organisations who can help them.
The Southport Ukip leader said he had tried various methods of contacting people, which have all been unsuccessful.
He said: “The difficulty has always been to identify and make the initial contact with these people and bring them and the organisations that can help them together.
“I have been working on this for a long time and trying such things as leaflet drops through letterboxes, but never with sat- isfactory response.”
Mr Durrance said that he was passionate about providing those who may be experiencing loneliness with the help they need.
He said: “Loneliness must be one of the biggest social challenges to our lives today.
“It is something that affects people of all ages, but is, perhaps, generally perceived as being mainly associated with older people.
“I have been very aware of the problem for a long time and have involved myself in the running of luncheon clubs and running other social activity sessions in order to help those who find their lives plagued with social isolation.
“Unfortunately, the problem is so big that my efforts are merely just scratching the surface.
“There is almost a culture of loneliness out there and, once people find themselves on this path, it is very difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel and people become trapped within that culture.
“They cannot see a way out and they resign themselves to a life of loneliness without realising that there are a lot of organisations out there who really can help their situation and lift them out of their solitary existence and help them rebuild a more fulfilling life.”
It is hoped that the new initiative will help to provide the help needed.
The project is set to be launched tomorrow (Friday, May 18) at 11am at Ormskirk Hospital and at 2am at Southport Hospital.
Represent at i v e s from the organisations involved in creating the idea will be at the hospitals to provide information to the public.
Southport MP, Damien Moore, and Ormskirk MP, Rosie Cooper, have also been invited.
It is hoped that the project will be well received and helpful for the community and that it will also be of interest to other hospitals around the country.
Mr Durrance explained: “We feel that the project has terrific potential and, if successful, we will be hoping to interest hospitals in other areas to follow our lead.”