Let's Talk Loneliness event write-up
Thank you to everyone for your support at both this event and all of our events this year. We look forward to returning in 2023.
Luke Thomas – British Red Cross – Sheffield
Luke Thomas joined us first from the British Red Cross. Luke discussed loneliness, where he asked the group to identify loneliness through a series of images such as a rural house, football stadium and a busy street, how they would describe it and how it makes people feel.
Luke asked the group to complete a number of polls on various preferences regarding loneliness. Attendees agreed they enjoy spending time alone if it is a personal choice. When it is not a choice, it can be seen less positively. Most attendees agreed they prefer talking to people in person rather than digital communication.
Attendees discussed how loneliness can make them feel. Suggestions include feeling that nobody cares, that you are empty, sadness and worthless.
Impact of loneliness:
- Less effective sleep
- Increased blood pressure
- Less likely to have a healthy diet
- Increased depressive symptoms
- Decreased self-worth
9 million people report that they experience loneliness in the UK.
What are the signs that someone is lonely?
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Low mood
- Not engaging well
- Oversharing information as they have not had anyone else to speak to
Where to go for support:
Visit www.redcross.org.uk/loneliness-resources for free resources around loneliness.
The Samaritans – 116 123
CALM – 0800 58 58 58
Mind – 0300 123 3393
Age UK – 0800 678 1602
NHS 111 or 999 (emergency)
Free Loneliness Workshops:
Luke and a team of volunteers work hard to deliver free loneliness sessions across South Yorkshire. They have a number of different workshops for different age ranges covering topics such as Youth First Aid, Adult First Aid, Empathy and Migration and Adults tackling loneliness. The workshops are available over Zoom/Teams or Face to Face in the South Yorkshire Area.
If you are interested in these workshops and feel this would benefit you and your organisation, you can contact Luke on:
E-mail: lukethomas@redcross.org.uk
Telephone: 07921 941425
Kerry McGrath – Voluntary Action Rotherham
We were then joined by Kerry from Voluntary Action Rotherham. Kerry discussed volunteer roles available on the Voluntary Action Rotherham website. Types of volunteering roles have included befriending, retail, admin, gardening and teaching. People volunteer for a number of reasons including being made redundant, wanting to learn a new skill or taking up a new hobby.
You can view Kerry’s slides in more detail at the bottom of this page.
b:Friend – Sara Kopecsni
We were then joined by Sara from B:Friend. The organisation tackles loneliness and isolation. The organisation runs community social clubs across South Yorkshire, including 3 in Rotherham. They focus on providing fun activities to engage and include people and prevent loneliness.
How to contact the service:
Complete an online form via their website, with the person’s consent if completing on behalf of someone else: www.letsbfriend.org.uk
Telephone: 07523 698 530
E-mail: info@letsbefriend.org.uk
Refer an elderly person for support – criteria:
- 65 or over
- Live on their own
- Clean and safe home environment
- Have no conditions that require specialist care (e.g dementia)
If you are interested in volunteering, you can also contact the service using the above contact details and completing the volunteering form available on the website. There is a minimum of 6 months commitment and a DBS check required which is paid for by the service.
The social clubs do not require a referral to attend, however it is advised that you ring ahead to check the groups are not at full capacity before travelling.
Thank you once again to all our attendees and guest speakers for another interesting and informative event.
January Let’s Talk Menopause Event:
Our first event of 2023 will take place on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at the later time of 3pm – 4pm, via Zoom.
We will be raising awareness of the menopause.
