Neighbourhood approaches to loneliness

This three-year action research programme looks at how community activities could contribute to the well-being of people at risk of or experiencing loneliness; how they could play a central role in this activity; and how this involvement could in turn enhance community well-being.

Overview

This programme will:

• support and facilitate community activity to address loneliness amongst people in four neighbourhoods within the districts of Bradford (Bradford Moor and Denholme) and York (Carr Estate, Acomb and New Earswick)
• look to increase the security, independence and well-being of people at risk of or experiencing loneliness.

We aim to:

• explore what people who are experiencing or at risk of loneliness think they can do to change their situation;
• work with local communities and providers to adopt approaches and innovations that reflect this;
• influence the willingness of others in the neighbourhood to engage and contribute; and
• capture and share lessons in ways which are meaningful, enduring and replicable.

The community's story

Three years ago over forty people living in two neighbourhoods in York, two in Bradford, set off to find out what causes loneliness in the areas where they live. This moving films tells their story - why they got involved in the first place and what has kept them motivated as they spoke to 2000 people about the factors which contribute to a sense of loneliness and isolation across all ages.

Community researchers

In this powerful film community researchers turned activists speak very directly about loneliness and how the ideas which have been suggested by hundreds of local people and community partners have inspired them to find community solutions to their biggest issues.

Want to know more?

For more detail about this programme: 

• read the Investigations summary, 
• How can a neighbourhood support people who are lonely?
• The main causes of loneliness in the four neighbourhoods (infographics)

Key Links

• The Campaign to End Loneliness
• The Lonely Society? (Mental Health Foundation report)