Long term loneliness and social isolation can have a devastating impact on people’s mental and physical health, which has implications, not just for individuals but also for society at large. It has a similar negative impact to smoking and obesity.

Finding ways to address loneliness and social isolation can help keep people well and better supported in their communities and reduce the impact on hard pressed health and social care services.

East Devon data shows that there is a significant issue with loneliness and social isolation and that it impacts all ages and increased during the pandemic. However, there does seem to be a stigma attached to loneliness and many people of all ages are not comfortable in admitting that they are lonely or perhaps do not recognise that they are.

There are simple measures that can be used to assess the level of loneliness that include questions about how often someone leaves the house, how often they take part in social activities, have spoken to friends or family and how well they feel about themselves. The problem is that any tool can be subjective and many people may feel lonely even though they seem to have plenty of company. This might be the case for people when they move into a care home. While there are a lot of people around them, they may not have a special friend. Significant changes in our lives might impact upon loneliness, for example: bereavement, moving house, going away to university, becoming ill or having an accident or stroke.

A couple of weeks ago I was talking with a family where the mother had just been diagnosed with dementia. As well as the concerns about how the disease might progress and other practical issues, the lady was concerned that her social circle was closing down and she was feeling isolated. I have had similar conversations with people who are stroke survivors and unpaid carers who can no longer get out to socialise in the way that they had done previously. That is why organisations like Sid Valley Help that provide befrienders are so special. Volunteers visit our clients in their own homes and give them undivided attention for an hour or so a week. Having a chat and a laugh about things is a tonic. Many of our clients did not class themselves as lonely when we were first referred to them, but they have benefitted from the attention.

Please contact Sid Valley Help on 01395 892011 if you would like to find out about volunteering or you are feeling lonely and would like a befriender.