Lesta Fights Loneliness & Isolation amongst older people

Loneliness and Isolation

• Affects 1 in 10 older people in the UK
• 12% of older people feel trapped in their own home
• 36% of people aged 65 and over in the UK feel out of touch with the pace of modern life
• 9% feel cut off from society
• Over 40% of older people don`t know where to turn to for help
• More than half of people over the age of 75 are living alone
• 1 in 10older people suffer from intense loneliness
• Loneliness in the 'hidden killer' of elderly people

These are just a few facts on loneliness amongst the elderly in our society. Together we can lower these stats!

I am looking for a core teamof up to 10 young people that would like to work alongside me as I go on a journey in our community to find the causes of this 'hidden killer' and look for sustainable solutions.

The tasks will include:

TALK:

• Identifying and creating a relationship with an organisation already working with older people in Leicester
• Organising a focus group with 10 older people
• Preparing and leading a workshop on loneliness and isolation
• Consult older people on a social event they might be interested in taking part

SOCIALISE:

• Organise a social event for older people
• Get a minimum of 15 older people engaged in event
• Interview 2 older people
• Interview a representative from a chosen organisation
• Collect video/photographic evidence and upload onto Flickr

CONNECT:

• Raise awareness of loneliness and isolation amongst at least 50 people
• Document profiles of older people`s experiences
• Highlight the impacts of loneliness and isolation and give 5 recommendations of how people can help combat it
• Signpost members of the community to organisations that support older people

We will be meeting regularly and I will reimburse all expenses agreed.

If you are interested in becoming part of this campaign or would like to support us please get in touch on belinda.fumai@vinspired.com. Look forward to hearing from you :)