Make a Difference

Isolation and Loneliness can be experienced by anyone, anywhere; from remote communities to the centre of metropolises.

The impacts are only now becoming known (JRF, 2013).

For example:

• Increased risk of depression
• 64% increased risk of developing clinical dementia
• Increased risk of high blood pressure
• An equivalent risk factor for early mortality to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
• A greater impact than other risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity


And lonely people:

• Are vulnerable to alcohol problems
• Eat less well – they are less likely to eat fruit and vegetables
• Are more likely to be smokers and more likely to be overweight
• Are less likely to engage in physical activity and exercise.

So what can we all do?

• Think about people in our local community who may be lonely, for any reason, and think what and how we can make a difference to their lives
• Lead by example and encourage others to do so too
• Attend training sessions, designed to explore the role we can each play within our communities to reduce loneliness, isolation and stigma
• Enable and encourage staff to attend training. Anyone who works in an organisation represented on the Shetland Partnership can also attend the training sessions. If you would like to request a place at a training session, please email workforce.developmentteam@shetland.gov.uk

Date	Time	Venue
16th May 2017	10.00 – 12.00	ICC Drama Room
16th May 2017	14.00 – 16.00	ICC Drama Room
22nd May 2017	10.00 – 12.00	Bressay Room
23rd May 2017	10.00 – 12.00	ICC Radio Room
14th June 2017	14.00 – 16.00	ICC Room 12
20th June 2017	10.00 – 12.00	ICC Room 12
20th June 2017	14.00 – 16.00	ICC Room 12
27th June 2017	10.00 – 12.00	ICC Room 12
27th June 2017	14.00 - 16.00	ICC Room 12
28th June 2017	10.00 – 12.00	ICC Room 10
28th June 2017	14.00 – 16.00	ICC Room 10

 

Further information and research:

• Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland
• Poverty Is Bad - Let's Fix It!
• Kinder Communities
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The short film at the top of this page sets out local findings and solutions.