Bringing our communities together

Loneliness is said to be as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here, Mark Smith looks at a new project aimed at stopping the issue from reaching ‘epidemic proportions’

More than one million older people living in the UK are “chronically lonely”, according to latest research.

And nearly half (45%) of people aged 65 and over wouldn’t know where to turn if they were experiencing loneliness.

To rectify this, nine organisations have joined forces to tackle this growing issue in an ageing population.

Age Cymru, Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross, Campaign to End Loneliness, Eden Project Communities, Gransnet, Independent Age, Royal Voluntary Service and The Silver Line are working collaboratively to raise public awareness of loneliness and encourage everyone to act to help tackle it.

Rachel Lewis, policy manager at Age Cymru, said: “Loneliness is in danger of reaching epidemic proportions.

“We have stories of people taking bus rides simply to have human contact.

“We also hear from people who only speak to another person when the supermarket delivers their groceries.

“Now, more than ever people are working longer hours, and are likely to move away for work, so are not close to older family members.

“Some people tell us their streets are totally deserted during the week as people are working.

“One of the keys to addressing loneliness is to make clubs and activities available. Age Cymru runs Nordic walking groups aimed at helping older people keep fit, but equally importantly, providing an opportunity for social contact.

“Local authorities are strapped for cash and activities are closing, but if councils could make a building available free of charge, then activities could continue with volunteers running them.”

According to Gransnet more than half (56%) of users who describe themselves as lonely have never talked about their loneliness to anyone.

And the vast majority of that number said their close friends and family would be quite surprised – or even astonished – to hear they feel lonely, according to a new survey carried out by the over-50s social networking site.

The survey, which was published to launch the Jo Cox Commission on loneliness, also reveals that 93% of Gransnet users admit it’s possible to feel lonely even when you have a partner or family.

A total of 82% agreed that talking about feelings of loneliness was much easier when they were online and anonymous.

The Eden Project says it is committed to tackling loneliness. One of its most significant and best-known initiatives is the Big Lunch, funded by the National Lottery.

The Big Lunch, the UK’s annual gettogether for neighbours, aims to bring people within neighbourhoods together to build stronger and betterconnected communities. Eden Project Communities also brings together individuals with a passion for improving their local community at Community Camp events hosted, at the Eden Project, to help build confidence and skills. These people form a nationwide network running local projects and schemes to strengthen and improve their local community, and tackle issues such as loneliness.

Lowri Jenkins, from Eden Communities, said: “While loneliness can strike at any age, older people are at higher risk of being lonely as they are more likely to experience deteriorating health and the death of a loved one.

“Disability, poor health, poverty and limited access to transport all contribute to older people feeling cut off from their family, friends and local communities,

Omeaning many older people have little or no social interaction. The Big Lunch is a really simple opportunity for neighbours and communities to get together and re-connect across all generations.

“It is a chance to recognise loneliness and create healthier and happier communities at a fun and informal event.”

Another element contributing to this significant increase in loneliness could be the fact that people are living longer.

Rachel Lewis added: “People are living longer, but are not necessarily in good health, and they can be housebound, which compounds a sense of isolation and loneliness. Events like the Big Lunch are very important as they bring communities together, and help neighbours look out for one another.

“Life events such as bereavement and retirement are key factors in isolation. We are urging the government to provide more support, as well as encouraging businesses to prepare people for retirement by giving them information about volunteering, for example. Remaining part of things is vitally important.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about the Jo Cox Commission or how they can get involved in tackling loneliness in their community can visit www. jocoxloneliness.org for further information. The Big Lunch 2017 takes place on June 18.