Ending Loneliness in Scotland - Connecting Communities for Better Well-being

1. Anne Callaghan, Campaign Manager Scotland Supported by

2. Who we are • Founded in 2011 by Independent Age, Sense, RVS, Age UK Oxfordshire and Manchester City Council • Brought attention to the issue of loneliness by demonstrating its impact • Supported by the Communites Fund and Independent Age to expand our work to talk to new audiences and work in new communities Supported by

3. Loneliness is subjective and is the unwelcome feeling of a gap between the social connections we want and the ones we have Social Isolation is objective and is a measure of the number of contacts or interactions Supported by

4. Estimated that 10% of older people experience chronic loneliness =4 million+ Supported by

5. Loneliness If lack social connections, it is the equivalent of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day Supported by

6. Nearly 9 in 10 people in a UK wide survey believe loneliness in older age is more likely that ever • 93% of over 65s believe this is the case • 56% of UK adults say admitting they are lonely is difficult • 76% of over 65s say admitting they are lonely is difficult as they don’t want to feel that they are a burden • - Campaign to End Loneliness Survey, September 2017 Supported by

7. Loneliness: The impact on health • Impact on physical health: increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. • Impact on mortality equivalent to 15 cigarettes a day if single, live on own and lack social connections. • Impact on mental health: increased risk of cognitive decline, depression and dementia.

9. un Wider society contributory factors • Lack of transport • Not living near family • Inadequate/poor housing • Fear of crime • High Population turnover • Few amenities e.g. public toiletsor benches

10. Loneliness: ONS • Three profiles of people at particular risk from loneliness were identified: • Widowed older homeowners living alone with long-term health conditions. • Unmarried, middle-agers with long-term health conditions. • Younger renters with little trust and sense of belonging to their area. • And Brits spend 29% of their leisure time alone (ONS, 22 June 2018) • Analysis of characteristics and circumstances associated with loneliness in England using the Community Life Survey, 2016 to 2017

11. Cost of disconnected communities Neighbourliness saves £1.1 billion to Scottish society annually Disconnected communities linked to a loss of productivity- nearly £252 million in productivity every year according to Centre of Economics and Business Research (Cebr) Neighbourliness has a huge welfare value to the Scottish people, with over £593 million saved each year because of resources shared and help provided by neighbours who know each other. Saves £161.2 million to public purse

12. Cost of disconnected communities “We found that, by increasing social capital, reducing isolation, and enhancing social inclusion, community activities and events lead to improvements in health, educational performance and socioeconomic circumstance.” - Oliver Hogan, Director Cebr

13. un More Scots live alone than ever – more than 1/3 – 885.000+

14. What academic literature says…

16. What helps people make a meaningful connection? • The most often endorsed approaches were social groups of one form or another • The majority were groups whose primary ‘offer’ was not social contact but something else desirable – e.g. learning, health promotion, support through difficult circumstances etc. • We also know that the most effective loneliness interventions are: • • Group-based, and targeted at a specific group • • Focused on a shared interest, or with an educational focus • • Set up to involve older people in running the group

17. How housing can make a difference ? Build or convert housing stock to allow for changing disability/mobility so people can chose to live for longer independently in communities Co-housing options- build into design process Intergenerational house shares- cheaper rents for students Plan for communal spaces- pick brains about what works Collaborating in spaces eg intergenerational care home

18. How can housing make a difference ? Welcome to new tenants – build in a welcome process that introduces people that takes account of those who may experience social anxiety . A buddy system for the area . Be aware of tenants who are socially anxious- look at 121 approaches to begin with to build confidence Find out what activities interest tenants – find out what those are eg intergenerational approaches. Welcome pets- or enable them to come in Horticulture activities and Friendly benches

19. How can housing make a difference ? Cultural activities good – singing for example Joint event TV programme opportunities eg major sporting events, drama that has everyone talking, key soaps Partner up with local cafes to encourage Chatty Café spaces- people may feel more comfortable connecting outside the home Night classes on something that interests the tenants

20. How can housing make a difference ? Listen to people’s stories  - everyone has a story to tell. Help people share theirs and find connections Create opportunities that build connection - antidote to loneliness are meaningful connections and a sense of belonging Celebrating everyday acts of neighbourliness –helps celebrate what may be already helping and could encourage others

21. What next…. Get talking and share ideas and learning in housing provision and with people using them about how to help people make meaningful connections. Please share Twitter @callaghananne Join Chatty Cafes scheme Developing ideas for a ‘Year of Making Connection’ proposal to Scottish Government

22. Presentation slide title BeMoreUs.org.uk