It’s heartbreaking to think while so many of us celebrated Christmas and the New Year with family and friends, others felt isolated and alone.
From talking to residents, we know that loneliness and isolation can contribute to many of the health and social challenges that people are facing. Being lonely can have major impacts on your health and wellbeing, which is why addressing loneliness is a key priority for Camden.
Our Health and Wellbeing board, which includes local health leaders and partners, has been working to tackle this issue and bring our communities closer together in 2024. Here are a few recent examples of the work taking place and the practical support across the borough available to everyone.
Alongside volunteers, we’ve set up a pilot community champions programme to address loneliness on our housing estates.
Staff and volunteers host a range of amazing activities and projects to bring residents on these estates closer together, as well as signposting residents to further support. Regents Park Estate has more than 70 volunteers who are doing fantastic work to drive change and help residents feel more connected to their communities.
We’re also using Camden’s mobile health bus to speak directly to residents about how they are feeling and offer any help and support they may need.
Camden has a programme with Age UK Camden and Voluntary Action Camden helping adults access a range of services, groups or activities to improve their social and emotional wellbeing. Further information can be found at: vac.org.uk/our-services and clicking ‘social prescribing’. Community Centres such as Highgate Newtown Community Partners also run a wonderful range of activities that help encourage social connections.
There’s a network of support out there for people who feel alone – Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone feeling isolated, just text Shout to 85258 to start a conversation. You can also join our Talk for Health group which helps support people struggling with loneliness. Visit: camden.gov.uk/en/health for more.
If you’re wondering how you can help someone you think might be lonely or isolated, something simple, like a phone call or saying hello on their doorstep, could make a huge difference – so please check in on your neighbours if you’re worried about them.
Loneliness is a big issue facing some of our residents, and working with partners we are determined to support more people to feel better connected to their communities.
- Cllr Anna Wright is cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at Camden Council.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here