Loneliness and social isolation is a growing problem. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, 45 per cent of adults experienced bouts of loneliness before the pandemic. Some five per cent described themselves as often or always lonely. It is an issue that does not just affect older people either, with problems reported among young adults and children.
And COVID has just made the situation worse because of the prolonged periods of lockdown and restrictions disrupting the social networks people rely. This is having an impact on people’s health – both mental and physical.
Councils are at the forefront of tackling loneliness and isolation. Using their knowledge of their communities to lead projects, bring together local partners and support people directly.
We have collated different best practice examples including how a library service is keeping people connected and innovative programmes developed to address digital exclusion. The one thing they all have in common though is the ability of councils to harness the strength of local assets – the people, the organisations and the businesses – to address this problem.
Calderdale: making the most of the local community
Calderdale Council has set up a programme to tackle loneliness that is based in local communities – there are separate locality teams. Workers are employed to support local activities and groups and connect people referred into the programme with opportunities that suit them. One of the major strengths of the programme is that it is driven by local people who know their communities the best.
Middlesbrough: making it easier for people to access services and activities
A Big Lottery funded programme aimed at tackling social isolation has been running in Middlesbrough for the past seven years. It has helped to fund a range of different activities across the borough for the over 50s. To help people access these activities, extra support has been put in place to make it easier for people to get out-and-about by working with public transport providers and businesses to create an age-friendly environment.
Norfolk: how libraries can connect communities
Norfolk has a well-established Healthy Libraries scheme that is having a significant impact on social isolation and loneliness. The library service runs a range of initiatives from singing and colouring groups to a reading project aimed at people who are housebound. They have played a vital role in keeping people living in the large rural county connected both before and during the pandemic.
Reigate and Banstead: community workers helping people of all ages
Reigate and Banstead’s community development workers are a key part of the borough council’s work to tackle social isolation. They are embedded in the community and work with people of all ages, helping establish volunteer networks for older people, intergenerational art and craft groups and activities for teenagers and young people.
Stockport: helping the digitally excluded
An alliance bringing together the public, private and voluntary sectors has been supported by Stockport Council to help tackle digital exclusion. Local residents have been trained to become “digital champions” and a dedicated helpline and a device lending library set up. Since the programme started in 2018 thousands of residents have been helped improve their digital skills, reduce the risk of isolation in the process.
London Borough of Waltham Forest: using social prescribing to combat loneliness
The London Borough of Waltham Forest set up a social prescribing service five years ago. The team works with primary care in the NHS and community groups across the area to link people in with activities and support. Loneliness is one of the most common reasons for a referral. But thanks to the support being provided residents are being helped to learn new skills and take part in a variety of activities, reducing isolation in the process.
Worcestershire: the benefits of a dedicated loneliness service
Worcestershire County Council commissions a specialist loneliness service. People referred in are assigned case workers who support them to access local activities as well as helping to build up their confidence. More than 900 people have been helped over the last 18 months.