The report ‘Buses in Crisis’, produced by the Campaign for Better Transport, highlights the effects of the huge reduction in funding for buses in England and Wales. On average funding has decreased by 46% resulting in 3347 buses being reduced, altered or withdrawn, leading to an increased risk of loneliness and isolation for some members of the public.
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After 65 years of marriage to Kath, 93 year old Bob Lowe found himself alone after her death. Feeling lonely, he became involved with Silver Line, a telephone support service set up by Esther Rantzen to support older lonely people. Subsequently he has become an inspiration to others by his approach to coping with loneliness. He has also written a poem entitled ‘Ode to Kath’ which he recited on Breakfast TV this morning. To read his poem and find out more about Bob and Kath, click here to access an article which appeared in the Daily Mail in 2014.
A selection of items from the Guardian. Also …..
‘Better Shed than Dead’ This is a 2014 documentary about the Men’s Shed movement by director David George http://www.bettershedthandead.co.uk
Aardman and the Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) have teamed up to create a short film illustrating local older people’s experience of social isolation in the city, and what they can do to be less lonely.http://www.aardman.com/aardman-create-film-for-bristol-ageing-better/
A poll carried out by the charity ‘Campaign to End Loneliness’ suggests that one in five people over the age of 60 experience loneliness. A recent television programme highlighted the problem and provided insights into it. Click here to see a 90 year old’s experience.
Research commissioned by the Big Lunch project found that more than two thirds of adults in the UK experience some degree of loneliness. The research aimed to assess ‘the changing face of social interaction in the UK’. For more details of their findings, please follow this link. Are you a ‘social animal’? Try the quiz!
Following concerns about the increase in social isolation and loneliness in communities, GPs are being encouraged to prescribe trips to lunch clubs and museums as part of new measures to tackle the problem. Read and view more from the BBC There is also evidence that learning basic computer and internet skills can reduce loneliness.