Link Age Southwark
Combatting Loneliness and Isolation in Southwark
We want to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people in Southwark by diversifying the way we offer our activity groups to include face-to-face, online platforms and conference calling. This will enable us to reach those who are housebound and ensure nobody is excluded.
It ran from 12:00 PM, 1 December 2020 to 12:00 PM, 8 December 2020
Registered Charity in England and Wales (1105923)
Match funded Campaign target
£24,000
Amount raised
£31,025
Donations
138
Championed by The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust
Location
United Kingdom
Campaign overview
Aims
Where's the money going?
Impact & reporting
"My wife is able to get out more. She used to love music (before developing Alzheimer's) and the group helps her to connect some way through music."
— Family Carer of a Service User
"I like the exercise group - makes me feel stronger."
— Service User
"Before I went to the groups and parties I wasn't going out. I've got a good family but I was isolated from other people in my age group. I love the Silver Trees group - I've met some very nice people and I love being with them."
— Service User
Situation
In Southwark, over 9000 people over the age of 65 currently live alone. Older people can find it difficult to get out and about because of mobility problems, not having family or friends living locally, or due to complex health problems such as dementia. Loneliness and isolation have a significant impact on older people's physical health and mental wellbeing. Those without supportive community connections are more likely to depend on their GP, local hospitals or to enter a care home early.
Solution
Our social, exercise and activity groups help ensure older people age healthily and happily, and feel connected to their community. Prior to the pandemic we ran 26 groups in the community. We have adapted our groups to offer online sessions including a dementia singing group; 1:1 phone calls from exercise tutors; delivery of arts and crafts packs and conference calls for peer support. We will be developing socially distanced activities so that older people can participate in communal settings.
