Neighbourhood approaches to loneliness

1. Neighbourhood approaches to loneliness The tale of two cities Angela Browne and Julie Wrigley Qa Research

2. What exactly is loneliness? 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 thejoyof 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

3. Loneliness has an effect on mortality - twice as likely to die prematurely It is also associated with poor mental health and, more surprisingly, with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and dementia “Loneliness is a public health issue that should be tackled urgently. There are links with early death. The risk factor is similar to smoking and worse than obesity” Laura Ferguson, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness.

4. A neighbourhood approach Place based approach to loneliness Working with people in their neighbourhood to explore what contributes to feelings of overwhelming/problematic loneliness Exploring factors like location, health and wellbeing, safety, independence, life transitions Developing and putting into practice local ideas and activities to reduce the effects of loneliness Making every contact and conversation count

5. The neighbourhoods

6. Local people leading the way Recruited, trained and retained 32 community researchers in Participatory Learning and Action 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 8000 individual comments

7. Action Research using PLA

8. From actions to ideas Members of the neighbourhoods came up with over 1000 ideas to reduce loneliness An average of 65 ideas were prioritised in each neighbourhood and shared with community partners and local stakeholders Community researchers in the neighbourhoods have done planning, negotiation and project management training Each neighbourhood has reduced (not easy!) these ideas to 5 priorities which they are now putting into practice Community researchers are now activists – sharing the key messages

9. What is now happening BRADFORD MOOR Community Market Confidence group ONE DENHOLME Walking group Film club App CARR CONNECTORS Pop-up Café Working with local church NELLI Parents play group Community allotments Community activists contributing to further work: Local meetings Presentations Media

10. Introductions Causes of loneliness

12. Washing line activity You have no additional funds What one thing could you or your organisation do to reduce loneliness Personal and professional

13. We will be sharing what we have discussed Leave your contact details or business card if you would like to receive: Short report from today’s session Link to resource pack Evaluation report when published

15. Free resources This resource pack brings together the lessons and experiences from the programme and includes: Living with loneliness? – a four-page summary of the causes of loneliness, with infographics; Let’s talk about loneliness – a four-page summary of ideas and actions to reduce loneliness, with infographics; Neighbourhood approaches to loneliness: our stories – a collection of case studies from some of the people involved; Working with your community to address loneliness – top tips from our external evaluators; Can do – guidance and tips for negotiating community action; How you can reduce loneliness in your neighbourhood (the process); Let’s talk about loneliness session plans – five one-hour group work sessions to get you thinking and talking about loneliness. Lets talk about loneliness - a short film featuring interviews with the communities involved in our research