Funding boost will help older in people in Norwich to conquer their loneliness

Norwich is one of 15 areas in the country to benefit from a £4.5m funding boost aimed at combating social isolation and ensuring that future generations have the support they need.

Monday, September 8, 2014
6:30 AM

Loneliness and social isolation, which are known to contribute to depression and poor physical health, can hit anyone – but older people are particularly at risk.

In Norwich there are currently an estimated 20,000 older people, many of whom face social exclusion due to ill health, poverty or simply because of the attitude of society towards them.

But from April 2015, and over the next six years, Getting On In Norwich, a partnership project led by Voluntary Norfolk, will receive £4,495,264 to improve the lives of its thousands of older people.

Getting On In Norwich, which has carried out research with hundreds of people affected by loneliness, will be starting work with a small number of communities next year to learn about the approaches that work best before rolling out activities across the whole city over the next six years.

The project aims to help reduce the impact of loneliness and social isolation so that people can be happier, healthier and make less use of health and social care services.

Andrew Campbell, Getting On In Norwich Project Manager, Voluntary Norfolk said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Norwich and we are delighted our partnership is one of just 15 areas in the country to get this support. It gives us a unique opportunity to build on the work already going on in the city in a coordinated way over several years.”

Phil Wells, Age UK Norwich said: “This very exciting project will make a significant and lasting difference to everyone. Loneliness and isolation affect many people – not just older people…

“We will be involving people across each community in working out how to do this in their own neighbourhood in a way that will last.”

Joyce Hopwood, chairman of the Getting On In Norwich Partnership and the Norwich Older People’s Forum, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity for Norwich and one that older people themselves are going to be playing a leading part in at every stage.”

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