Tracey Robbins

A Nei ghbourhood approach t o

Lonel i ness

A mismatch of the relationships we have and those we want

An internal trigger telling us to seek company as thirst tells us to drink and hunger tells us to eat

Loneliness describes the pain of being alone as solitude describes the joy of being alone

Isolation is often where there is no choice but to be alone

Some people seek solitude, but few choose to be lonely, primarily because it isn’t good for us

What exact l y i s l onel i ness?

Who i s Lonel y i n t he UK

A seri ous ri sk t o heal t h

harms our ment al and physi cal heal t h

Lonely people:

Are vulnerable to alcohol problems

Eat less well – they are less likely to eat fruit & veg

Are more likely to be smokers and be overweight

Are less likely to engage in physical activity

What causes l onel i ness?

Wider society:

• Transport• Physical environment • Community• Housing • Technology • Crime• Population changes

Personal:

• Poor health• Sensory loss• Loss of mobility• Less income• Bereavement• Being out of work•Other change, e.g. becoming a carer

A range of ‘risk factors’ increase our vulnerability to loneliness:

Place based approach to lonelinessAsset based community development, action researchWorking with people to explore what contributes to feelings of problematic loneliness Developing and putting into practice local ideas and activities to reduce the effects of lonelinessMaking every contact and conversation count

A nei ghbourhood approach JRF Act i on Research

The nei ghbourhoods

Recruited, trained and retained community researchers in Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) in all four neighbourhoods

Community researchers gathered information, undertook outreach and all fieldwork and analysis and spoke to over 100 stakeholders

Talking to over 2000 people gathering almost 7667 individual comments

Local peopl e l eadi ng t he way

Act i on Research usi ng PLA

Members of the neighbourhoods came up with over 1000 ideas to reduce loneliness

Ideas were prioritised in each neighbourhood and shared with community partners and local stakeholders

Community researchers undertook the planning, negotiation, project management and sustainability of those projects

Each neighbourhood Community led activities groups initiative have been practice for over4 years now

Communities and neighbours working to address loneliness and connect communities

From act i ons t o i deas

What i s now happeni ng

NELLI

Parents play group

Community allotmentsCafé Nelle

NELLI Vision

ONE DENHOLME

Walking groupHealth outreach

Film club App/facebook

Website & newsletter

BRADFORD MOOR

Community Market

Get2 GetherLunar LunchHome visiting

CARR CONNECTOR

S

Pop-up CaféNow permanent

within local church &

children's centre

Key messages

Loneliness kills people and communities

Regulation kills kindness and reduces action

Lonely people are vulnerable, this is a safeguarding issue

Building personal and community confidence builds community resilience

Communities and neighbours need reasons, like The Big Lunch to connect.

The stepping stones to engagement and education need to be put back

You can take the ideas out of the process. You cannot take the process away from the ideas

Jo Cox l onel i ness commi ssi on

We are one of 13 partners working with the commission

#happytochat

…even busy peopl e. Anyone can reduce l onel i ness – t hei r own or ot hers

How do we look after the health and wellbeing of our communities, colleagues and ourselves?

How do we give the gift of time when we lead such busy lives?

How do we ensure that our community assets are community hubs used to their full potential and open to all?

How do we connect to our neighbourhoods and address loneliness?

Anyone can be l onel y…