This campaign has now closed
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.
Categories
Beneficiaries
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.
