THE REFLECTING TOGETHER PROJECT
Loneliness and Isolation experienced by older people in South Tyneside
We wanted to find out about the experiences of loneliness and isolation of the older people who attend our Happy at Home social events, so we could make things better for them. Our older people told us about their experiences of feeling lonely. Having reflected on these conversations, we wrote a report, made a film and a booklet.
A poem by Stefanie Conradt, using the words of the older people who shared their experiences
We practised ‘noticing’ the lived experience of these older people about feeling lonely. This is what they said….
TIMES
- at night time
- gaps in routines so they had to ‘wait around’
- no regular commitments or schedules
THE LOSS
- of a companion, partner, close friend
- of mobility – leading to social isolation
- of independence – roles within families become reversed
- of control - when family and carers choose meals and groceries
THE PLACE
- moving to be near families leading to dependency on family
- loss of friends and networks leading to social isolation
- becoming housebound when they can no longer use public transport and cannot afford taxis
- stigmatised by the community which may prevent social participation e.g., people diagnosed with dementia
What causes loneliness and social isolation?
By ‘NOTICING’ the lived experiences of older people, we found that loneliness and social isolation affects individuals in different ways. Examples of the causes of loneliness and social isolation include: the loss of mobility, the loss of regular contact with family, friends and society more generally, the loss of a role, retirement, or by being tied to one place.
We need to identify the varying causes of loneliness and social isolation in order to support our older people to continue to:
· make valuable contributions in South Tyneside
· remain significant members of churches and the local community
· retain their dignity
At Churches Together South Tyneside, we believe that a community is only a whole community when it keeps the dignity of older people intact.
You can find out more about The Reflecting Together Project:
The launch of the report at the Little Haven Hotel
