Graham Fairlie, coordinator at Neighbour Network, which combats loneliness by connecting people to support networks in partnership with local authorities, welcomes Holyrood's inquiry into loneliness in Scotland
There is an epidemic of loneliness in Scotland. It’s nothing new – it’s been a persistent problem for decades. Yet only now are we looking into the longer-term and wider effects of the problem.
When I first entered social work in the mid-1980s the issue of loneliness was as prevalent as it is now. I worked in Edinburgh and I’d often visit people who just wanted to talk because they hadn’t spoken to anyone, in a meaningful way, for weeks, or in some cases, months.
The knock-on effect was depression and an alarming degree of poor health. People who don’t leave their homes don’t exercise much, tend to overeat and generally fall into a stupor of depression. They begin to actually fear going out, believing home provides safety. But that apparent safety ironically is what is causing them their problems.
That’s why the Holyrood inquiry is so important. We need to seriously address the issues emanating from this loneliness epidemic, looking at solutions as well as causes.
For it to be effective it needs the third sector to respond en-masse. There is a lot of hidden issues out there related to loneliness that may not be initially apparent. People like me who have worked on the front-line of social work know where the problems lie. And third sector groups who have their ear closest to the ground need to be heard.
It’s true some people want to be alone and don’t want or look for formal intervention in their lives from the likes of social workers or charities. However many want help, need help and it is the duty of wider society to provide it.
Over the last 20 years, those who work in the third sector have been preoccupied with the loss of community spirit. But this so-called spirit isn’t lost; we’ve instead lost resources and funding. Just look at the stats: there’s more carers, for example, in the country than ever before – and volunteer numbers are at record levels. So the will to support people is there but the infrastructure is lacking.
We need support networks. We used to know who in our neighbourhood needed help. Changed working practices and the fact more families have two parents in work mean checking up on neighbours is no longer a viable failsafe.
Instead doctors and social workers who are in contact need to signpost isolated people to community support groups able to help them.
It might not be what everyone wants – but those who need support must be identified and offered that assistance.
