The Challenge

Some of the loneliest and most socially isolated people are invisible; at home for most or all of the day, often through circumstance e.g. poverty, poor public transport, caring for young or the elderly, or because of poor physical or mental health. As well as the transitional moments in life when loneliness and social isolation are more likely, such as bereavement or retirement. The increasing incidence of loneliness, social isolation, physical frailty, dementia, and mental health problems in our society, and its potential impact on future generations are a testament to the need for action. However, with more humanised digital technology, if they are unable to come to us, we can now go to them.


Aims 

The proposal is to place direct focus on the challenges of loneliness and social isolation in our communities, to provide the reasons and the means to a achieve and maintain health and wellbeing. A digital, video intervention service that deals directly with loneliness, social isolation, and some of the issues with the lack of social care provision. It is important to note here that from an ethical perspective, the peer interventions proposed are already widely used and evidenced, the unique feature of this project is in the method of delivery and inherent scalability. Further, this proposal would sit as an integral part of existing community outreach and volunteer engagement planning and activity. This will also integrate with existing service provision, NHS, GP’s, social prescribers, and local government social services, helping to reduce internal pressures on service provision.


The Potential Benefits

For the Lonely and the Socially Isolated

  • Rapid response to need
  • Bringing the community to the need
  • Daily recognition and interaction with a receptive and reciprocating moderated community, and although digital (audio and video), this is a very person-centred and led approach to loneliness, the process of connecting and belonging is a proven path to improving social identity and wellbeing.
  • Reducing loneliness by signposting and enabling, improving social identity through increasing the number and quality of social connections, which also helps build resilience to mental and physical health problems
  • Higher neighbourhood social capital produces improved mortality rates
  • Dementia: Social networks and participation are a protective factor against cognitive decline for the over 65’s
  • Technology training sessions that provide both teaching and socialising (volunteer engagement opportunities)
  • An additional layer of wellbeing monitoring
  • Volunteering opportunities within the digital system itself and the wider community outreach offers
  • Potential for reduction in NHS referrals and admissions related to loneliness and social isolation, frailty and cognitive decline

How it Works

By providing tablets with simplified software and access to Wi-Fi that enables audio and video group engagement over long periods of time. To allow small groups of peers to provide friendship and conversation, along with mutual aid and wellbeing oversight, with each group having a group lead and volunteer coordinators moderating several groups each. With a project manager providing overall oversight and guidance.

This community strengthening approach can produce

  • Stronger and deeper social networks
  • Health protection
  • Resilience to economic adversity
  • Improved mental health
  • Enhanced control: more strength for self-care, reduce health inequalities, improved negotiation with service