Welcome to the Uniting Communities Overcoming Loneliness monthly e-news. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest news about loneliness initiatives, research, innovative case studies and data.
Overcoming Loneliness replaces the former Teams platform and Not Alone newsletters.
If you have a story to share about how your work or organisation is overcoming loneliness, please contact us at advocacy@unitingcommunities.org
South Australia
New Social Prescribing research project
The Northern Community Health & Research Foundation has launched the Social Prescribing for Healthy Ageing project.
The project will focus on improving options for ‘social prescribing’, where a GP or primary care provider refers their patient to local, non-clinical community wellbeing programs and support services.
The project will focus on identification of barriers to, and facilitators of, social prescribing for older patients from identified vulnerable communities, with the aim of facilitating a scalable, sustainable approach to health and ageing ‘in place.’
MarionLIFE is expanding
Due to recent funding in the state budget, once developed, MarionLIFE will be managing a purpose-built community hub, inclusive of indoor and outdoor community connection spaces, co-located community services, a food hub/social supermarket and community housing.
CCSA launches Coffee Connections
Community Centres SA have received a grant through Office for Ageing Well to purchase 25 coffee machines to foster better connections within Community Centres.
“We firmly recognise the profound importance of social interaction in these spaces and the positive impact it has on the overall well-being of individuals.
Sharing a cup of freshly brewed coffee can significantly enhance these connections, and act as a catalyst in promoting intergenerational bonding at Community Centres.”
MCCSA needs your help!
Do you or someone you know speak Hungarian?
Multicultural Communities Council of SA are looking for volunteers for their Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme that speak Hungarian to visit elderly residents in Davoren Park, Oaken and Myrtle Bank.
“Your presence can bring joy and reduce the loneliness these seniors experience.”
Australia
PALS on how to talk to your clients about loneliness
Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-Isolation (PALS) is the first international pharmacy initiative raising awareness and addressing loneliness and social isolation to improve the health of patients and society.
PALS has shared some strategies pharmacists could easily use when talking about loneliness with clients.
Join the Ending Loneliness Directory
Does your organisation support people experiencing loneliness?
Ending Loneliness Together are looking for more groups and organisations to join their national directory so more Australian’s can find connection.
Join the growing number of community organisations and services working to provide solutions for loneliness and enhance social connection.
International
National project to tackle loneliness among children (UK)
A new national program will work with schools to identify children aged nine to 13 who feel lonely or isolated.
The children will then be connected to a link worker or social prescriber who will “prescribe” an activity tailored to the young person’s interests and support the young person in engaging with that activity.
Co-principal investigator Dr Daniel Hayes, of the UCL Department of Behavioural Science & Health, says, “loneliness has become an increasing problem among adolescents in the UK. This problem is especially acute in cities and among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Coalition unites visionaries on loneliness (UK)
In honor of Global Loneliness Awareness Week (June 10-16), the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness united thought leaders and policymakers from around the world to tackle the pressing crisis of social isolation and loneliness at their annual Global Loneliness Awareness Summit.
“We heard from experts in their fields along with Congressional leaders who have become Capitol Hill champions for legislation to address social isolation, loneliness, and social connection.”
Recordings for the event are now available here.
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