Fighting to end loneliness

Project aims to reduce isolation

A project to combat loneliness among older and vulnerable people is being launched by Stirling Council.

LinkAge Stirling aims to reduce social isolation by helping people feel more connected with their communities.

The pilot project will be launched in North Rural Stirling, which has a high percentage of elderly residents. Currently one in five of the area’s population is over the age of 65. It is projected that by 2032 this will rise to almost one in three.

By 2037 the 85 and over age group across the Stirling area is expected to have more than doubled.

Older people are more likely to experience periods of loneliness, which is known to contribute to a higher incidence of mental and physical health problems. Getting out and about can become more of a challenge due to health or mobility issues, and this can be a particular issue in rural areas.

At last February’s budget meeting the council agreed that £60,000 would be allowed for one year towards pilot schemes and investment aimed at ensuring older people were not left isolated in their homes.

LinkAge Stirling will act as the umbrella project to support people and organisations to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people.

Before agreeing the best approach, consultation was carried out with a variety of organisations already offering such services. This included visiting and questionnaires for people in communities who would fit the profile of older people experiencing isolation.

Project leader Anne Ferguson told the council’s social care and health committee last Thursday: “It was identified from the consultations and from speaking to older people that the main challenges were that more awareness is required of current services groups and clubs. Transport to get to groups and activities is causing a problem and preventing attendance and the number of referrals to current clubs could be improved.”

North Rural Stirling includes communities from Blairdrummond to Tyndrum and was chosen for the pilot because the area has some of the longest drive and public transport times in Scotland to access key services, such as GP surgeries or the post office.

The council is set to introduce a Linkage Co-ordinator for the rural north area, who will assist people to access services and activities.

Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said: “This a very worthwhile project and I wish it every success but let us not forget that just recently we were fighting to save the C60 bus that connects all these communities.

“If we had a comprehensive bus service, running from Tyndrum to Callander, supported by DRT it would enable access to the many regular social functions that operate across this area as well as keeping people connected to Callander and Stirling.”

The project will also seek to publish and distribute a database of information on events and services available to older people, to help those who are not able to access details online.

The council is still seeking views on what support and services older people think would make a big difference to their life.

To complete the Community Connections survey online visit Stirling.Gov.Uk/Linkage. To request a paper copy of the survey, or let the council know about a group or club within an area, email linkage@ stirling.gov.uk.