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
18 September 2018	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre
25 October 2018	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre
7 November 2018	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre
4 December 2018	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre
5 February 2019	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre
5 March 2019	10 am - 12 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre


Community Sessions

Date	Time	Venue
Tuesday 16th October 2018	6.30 pm – 8.30 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre, Room 12
Saturday 27th October 2018	11.00 am – 1.00 pm	Islesburgh Community Centre, Room 10
Tuesday 30th October 2018	6.30 pm – 8.30 pm	Brae Hall, Small Meeting Room

To book a place at a Community Session:

1. Email Fiona Robertson at: far.shetland@btopenworld.com
2. Please provide:

   – your name;
   – the name of the community group (if any) you are involved with; and
   – the date of the session you wish to attend

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.