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
- 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.
- 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
- Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland
- Poverty Is Bad - Let's Fix It!
- Kinder Communities
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
And lonely people:
So what can we all do?
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 22 May 2018 | 10 am - 12 pm | Islesburgh Community Centre |
| 12 June 2018 | 10 am - 12 pm | Islesburgh Community Centre |
| 3 July 2018 | 10 am - 12 pm | Islesburgh Community Centre |
| 2 August 2018 | 10 am - 12 pm | Islesburgh Community Centre |
| 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 |
Further information and research:
The short film at the top of this page sets out local findings and solutions.