Connecting Communities A Resource Kit for the Community Developed by the Northern Sydney Social Inclusion Working Party Understanding Social Isolation & How you can make a difference

Purpose of this Resource... Define Social Isolation Identify contributing factors Provide statistics Identify effects of Social Isolation What you can do Provide contacts for more information

What is Social Isolation? 1.Low levels of social interaction AND 2.Feelings of loneliness

What is Social Isolation? People with less than 2 social contacts per week with family/friends are considered to be at risk of Social Isolation

Factors that can contribute to Social Isolation... Living alone – particularly people who have recently lost a partner Age – older people, youth Caring responsibilities – spouse, grandchildren Lack of contact with family & friends Low / declining levels of participation in activities outside the home

Factors that can contribute to Social Isolation... Gender – particularly males Limited physical mobility Prolonged ill-health, disabilities Cultural &language barriers Geographic location Lack of suitable & affordable transport, loss of drivers licence Low income

Living Alone – Older People Source: 2011 Census – Northern Sydney Region (11 LGAs)

Activity Levels Decline with Age Source: Household Travel Survey - Residents living in Manly, Warringah, Pittwater

Drivers Licence – Older People Source: 2011 Survey of Older Residents living in Manly, Warringah, Pittwater

Effects of Social Isolation... Poor general well-being Poor nutrition Poor health Increased decline in mobility Increased difficulty in connecting Depression

Levels of loneliness... A recent survey of older people found:  39% of respondents wanted more social contact  20% of respondents did not participate in any social activities outside their home  46% undertaking activities found out about them from family/friends Source: 2011 Survey of Older Residents living in Manly, Warringah, Pittwater

Comments on loneliness... “As a one person household, I'm very aware that the ‘real world’ only caters for couples and kids” “Days are long when living alone, especially weekends” “I am a carer - I do not have time to have more contact with people but I would like to” “Having just retired I am feeling very lost” “My general health and mobility problems make socialising difficult” Source: 2011 Survey of Older Residents living in Manly, Warringah, Pittwater

What you can do... Promote the importance of connected communities in your own networks Think about people you know that might be feeling lonely Make an effort to interact with them Offer assistance Get information from your Council that you can share with them

What you can do... Become familiar with the “Social Isolation” Checklist Give a copy of the Checklist to someone you are concerned about

Social Isolation Checklist... Are you unable to drive or use public transport? Are you experiencing declining health and now feel you need help? Would you like to ‘get out and about’ more often but can no longer manage it? Would you enjoy being picked up and taken on bus trips and outings? Have you had a recent loss or lost a loved one? Do you feel unsafe in your own home or when you go out? Are you in a situation where you have no one to call in an emergency? Would you like more contact with people?

What you can do... Your suggestions must be practical & informative Provide flyers, contact numbers Follow-up after providing information Offer to accompany someone to a new social activity

More information... Contact your local Council’s Aged & Disability Worker

Council Contacts... CouncilAged & Disability Coordinator Hornsby Hunters Hill Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Manly or Mosman North Sydney Pittwater Ryde Warringah or Willoughby

Thank you...