2. Background: the draft strategy
Equal Opportunities Committee Report (2015) recommendation
Draft launched January 2018
Our Vision
Defining social isolation and loneliness
Priority 1 Empower communities to lead
Priority 2 Play our part
Engagement events across Scotland
Toolkit
Citizen Space consultation platform

3. The Consultation
400 + Responses from individuals and organisations
17+ Written summaries from public engagement events 1
Analysis of written responses 2
Synthesise findings from responses

4. Consultation Responses: emerging themes and identified features of support
Transport, housing, public spaces and digital technology
Policies and regulation; sustainable funding; education and training; design and delivery of support

5. A Connected Scotland: the final strategy

6. Priority 1: Empower communities and build shared ownership
Review further devolution of decision making, consider work of the local governance review
Work with third sector partners to develop a resource which supports greater consideration of social isolation and loneliness in policy and decision-making
Connect with work on the Older People’s Framework to tackle negative perceptions of older people and challenge barriers faced by people as they age
Review how to align other policy goals and intentions with the ambitions of this strategy
Commission research to support improved understanding of SIAL at points of key life transitions
Convene private/business sector roundtable to explore what more the sector can do

7. Priority 2: Promote positive attitudes and tackle stigma
Implement the recommendations of the PSE review to support positive and healthy relationships
Work with stakeholders to better understand what works in reducing and tackling stigma
As part of the legacy of YOYP Consider with partners what more we can do to promote intergenerational dialogue

8. Priority 3: Create opportunities for people to connect
Consider existing best practice in supporting people to know what’s going on in their local area, and look at how to roll this out further
Work with key partners to raise awareness of the value of befriending and support work to build capacity within the sector
Utilise our new National Volunteering Outcomes Framework to set out a coherent and compelling for volunteering, drawing on evidence and data gathered
Work with older age groups to understand how digital tech can add value to their lives in a meaningful way (Digital Strategy for Scotland)

9. Priority 4: Support an infrastructure that fosters connections
Work with health and social care integration authorities to consider their role in addressing SIAL, and how to best share good practice
Publish a National Implementation Plan to embed self-directed support in social care nationally and locally
Pilot innovative housing solutions for older people, testing intergenerational and other co-living arrangements to meet housing needs and reduce SIAL
Commence a review of Scotland’s National Planning Framework, and consider how local development plans can better support communities with greater opportunities for social interaction
Working with key stakeholders, deliver an online hub focused on reducing unintentional harm that includes a number of examples that can help reduce SIAL

10. Priority 4 cont.: Support an infrastructure that fosters connections
Review our National Transport Strategy, with accessibility identified as a key theme.
Make improvements to the transport system through provisions in our wide-ranging Transport Bill.
Modernise our Accessible Travel Framework to speed up implementation, seeking to make journeys easier for people with accessibility issues
Make Through our culture strategy, work to increase access to culture and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate
Through our first strategy for public libraries, work to build on the existing offer of libraries used as community hubs

11. Taking a collaborative approach

12. Implementation: collaboration, timescales and progress reporting
Ministerial Steering Group to maintain oversight of activity and drive forward progress
This strategy will run 2018 – 2026
Progress reports every two years (2020, 2022, 2024) .

13. Questions?
Lawrence Mearns Policy Officer, Scottish Government Equality, Human Rights and Third Sector Division