Organisations are being invited to attend an online seminar which looks at reducing isolation for older people

Scottish service-providers, local authorities, health bodies, third sector organisations and anyone interested in addressing the issue of loneliness in later life are invited to take part in a seminar held by the Campaign to End Loneliness, next month (Monday November 16).

The free online event will explain the framework on how to tackle loneliness outlined in the Campaign to End Loneliness’s new report Promising Approaches Revisited: Effective action on loneliness in later life, which aims to help those commissioning and funding services to better understand what they can do in their area and includes several Scottish initiatives as examples of good practice.

The seminar, which will be held on Zoom from 2pm to 4pm on Monday 16 November, will help organisations:

• Take further action to address loneliness in their communities.
• Help those most at risk to build and maintain vital connections.
• Learn ways in which they can successfully adapt services around Covid-19 restrictions.

Anne Callaghan, of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “The seminar will be an opportunity for organisations and individuals in Scotland who are interested in reducing loneliness in later life to learn about our updated model and also hear about some of the promising examples we have seen across the UK that are already successfully tackling loneliness.

“We hope our Promising Approaches Revisited report will help the Scottish and UK governments, local authorities, health bodies, funders and service providers quickly identify and support the most effective solutions to address of loneliness.

“If the issue is not adequately addressed, we are concerned that there could be a timebomb being set that will impact more broadly on mental and physical health services. Pre-Covid-19, it is estimated that there was 1.2 million older people already experiencing chronic loneliness and ongoing restrictions affecting people’s ability to meet up with friends and family means millions more are struggling with feelings of loneliness.

“There is not a one size fits all approach to reducing chronic loneliness, but our report illustrates how, when used together, effective services and interventions from health services, government and charities - including those adapted to Covid times - can help make a real difference to many people’s lives in every community.”

Anyone interested in taking part can register here.