Loneliness and social isolation affect many different people and compromise wellbeing across the life course. The National Survey for Wales shows that younger people and those materially deprived report higher levels of loneliness and social isolation, and suggests some relationship between loneliness and where you live. Beyond this data, a growing evidence-base from research and practice is shedding new light on the causes of loneliness and social isolation, how it is experienced and how it can be overcome.
The Wales Centre for Public Policy is planning an event to bring local public service providers, from local government and the third sector, together with academics to share knowledge and experience, discuss local issues and challenges, understand the impact and consider how to mitigate and prevent loneliness and social isolation.
In the morning, the event will introduce the attendees to the available evidence on what works in tackling loneliness and social isolation and provide an opportunity to engage with leading academics on the theme of different group experiences of loneliness and social isolation. It is anticipated that, among other considerations, the discussion will be concerned with the following:
- Tackling loneliness and social isolation throughout the life course;
- The relationship between loneliness and social isolation and ill health and disability
- Carers experience of loneliness and social isolation
- Geographic variation (rural and urban) in loneliness and social isolation
In the afternoon, there will be two sessions of concurrent workshops, demonstrating good practice for tackling loneliness and social isolation across Wales and the UK. There will be time to discuss and reflect on the possibilities for policy and practice learning and transfer, and the benefits and challenges for local areas and local service providers.
Please register your interest to attend. Please note that registration of interest does not guarantee a space.
Please register your interest by 10th February 2020
