LONELINESS “ Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.” - Paul Johannes Tillich

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 the joy of 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 What exactly is loneliness?

Loneliness and social Isolation People experiencing isolation require practical help and resources (such as transport provision). People experiencing loneliness require social support and extended social networks, (e.g. befriending, networking, friends) There are also different types of loneliness which again may require different interventions: emotional loneliness and social loneliness. Emotional loneliness is the absence of a significant other with whom a close attachment is formed (a partner or close friend). Social loneliness is the lack of a wider social network of friends, neighbours or colleagues We need to tailor our response to the needs of the individual Emotional and Social Loneliness

Loneliness in the UK Almost half of adults in England say they experience feelings of loneliness

Loneliness = A serious risk to health

Wider society: Transport Physical environment Community Housing Technology Crime Population changes Personal: Poor health Sensory loss Loss of mobility Less income Bereavement Being out of work Other change, e.g. becoming a carer A range of ‘risk factors’ increase our vulnerability to loneliness: What causes loneliness?

Place based approach to loneliness Asset based community development, action research 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 A neighbourhood approach - Action Research

The neighbourhoods – York & Bradford

NEIGHBOURHOOD APPROACHES TO LONELINESS

What are the issues affecting people in the four neighbourhoods

Key messages from the programme Loneliness kills people and communities Regulation kills kindness and reduces action Lonely people are vulnerable, this is a safeguarding issue Building personal and community confidence builds community resilience Community researchers are now activists – sharing the key messages

The stepping stones to engagement and education need to be put back There is a real contradiction between society’s ideals and individual experience You can take the ideas out of the process. You cannot take the process away from the ideas Key messages from the programme

Anyone can be lonely, even busy people. Anyone can reduce loneliness – their own or others How do we make every contact count? How do we look after the health and wellbeing of our communities, congregations, colleagues and ourselves? How do we give the gift of time when we lead such busy lives? How do we resource prevention in hard times? How do we ensure that our community assets are community hubs used to their full potential and open to all? Let’s see how we can all talk about loneliness Wot… no time ?

This resource pack brings together the lessons and experiences from the programme and includes: Loneliness resource pack - session plans, causes and ideas, case studies …Loneliness resource pack Can do – guidance and tips for negotiating community action;Can do Evaluation - Can neighbourhood approaches to loneliness contribute to peoples wellbeingEvaluation Lets talk about loneliness - a short film featuring interviews with the communities involved in our researchLets talk about loneliness Free resources