Blog

Love where you live – 52 almost painless good…

Love where you live – 52 almost painless good things your community could do in 2019…..

1.   Start a local hen- or bee-keeping scheme
2.   Look after a community orchard….
3    …then buy a community apple press
4.   Set up a community hub
5.   Arrange fish ‘n’ chip supper socials at the village hall
6.   Start a Good neighbour Scheme
7.   Join an oil-buying collective – visit ThinkingFUEL for information
8.   Apply for an Awards For All grant to fund a local activity or facility
9.   Grow a community allotment or shared garden
10.  Bulk-buy your and your neighbours essential together
11.  Set up a local history club
12.  Round up a guerrilla gardening task force
13.  Start a community E-bay shop
14.  Host a community petting zoo
15.  Organise a ‘Good Life’ event
16.  Carry out an accessibility check in your community
17.  Start a book exchange
18.  Run a monthly lunch club
19.  Set up a community choir or orchestra
20.  Hold a monthly talent-sharing class
21.  Start a community bike repair shed
22.  Begin a local newsletter or website
23.  Make a film about your community
24.  Develop a ‘welcome pack’ or directory
25.  Host a  children’s treasure hunt or teddy bears’ picnic
26.  Try a scarecrow-building competition
27.  Start a ramblers’ walking group….
28   .…or a cycling group
29.  Host an ‘open mic’ night at the village hall
30.  Run a film club
31.  Install a defibrillator
32.  Set up a dog-walking club
33.  Start a Silver Surfers computer club
34.  Buy a fitness DVD and start a class
35.  Start a local Facebook page
36.  Set up a Warm and Well scheme
37.  Undertake a community-led plan or survey
38.  Run an Open Gardens event
39.  Organise a Murder Mystery night at the community hall
40.  Invite the press and radio along
41.  Organise free talks by local experts
42.  Advertise your venue for use by other groups and neighbouring communities
43.  Arrange for your village hall to be licensed….
44.  ….and run a beer festival!
45.  Organise a music or arts festival….
46.  ….or maybe an Antiques Roadshow
47.  Organise a village Bake-Off….
48   ….or a wine-tasting evening!
49.  Open a pop-up restaurant
50.  Start a community car scheme for those without transport
51.  Look for professional advice and guidance on organising a project….
52   .…by joining Community Action Norfolk!

Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. Finding funds and recruiting helpers isn’t easy; but making ‘community’ a reality can be very rewarding, and for the right reasons.

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.” George Bernard Shaw

[Thanks to Rural Action Yorkshire for the 52 good things! Read more at bit.ly/2kCuxTN

What exactly is ‘loneliness’ anyway?

It’s estimated that there between 35,000 and 40,000 lonely people in Norfolk. But what exactly is ‘loneliness’ anyway? It’s been defined as ‘an individual’s personal, subjective sense of lacking desired affection, closeness and social interaction with others.’ And why is it a bad thing? Well it’s bad for your health – research has suggested feeling lonely, living alone and poor social connections are as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. It’s worse than obesity. And lonely people are more likely to suffer from dementia, heart disease and depression.

It’s different to isolation though.  Living alone doesn’t necessarily mean someone is lonely. But it does mean they are more susceptible to the physiological and psychological stress of lack of social connectivity.

What can anyone, especially public agencies and voluntary sector organisations, do about it?  If lack of social relationships is as bad for our health as research and experience has shown, what should our response be? Well, it helps to understand more about where it happens and who it happens to. Age UK produced a predictive model for loneliness in the over-65 population which shows that increased risk of loneliness is not always associated with living in rural areas; it happens in towns and cities too. And perhaps unsurprisingly people in Norfolk from the most deprived areas are more than 50% more likely to be lonely.

Consider this. Around one in five of Norfolk’s population is aged 65 or over. Norwich has the highest proportion of estimated lonely population in that age bracket, while Great Yarmouth and South Norfolk have the lowest proportion.

• Across the age demographic there are three profiles of people identified as being at particular risk.
• Widowed, older homeowners living alone with long-term health conditions.
• Unmarried, middle-agers with long-term health conditions.
• Younger renters with little trust or sense of belonging to their area.

It does help to remember that people who are more likely to be lonely are not definitively lonely – but they could be at risk. It’s not a default setting. Conversely there may be others who do not fit the profile but who are lonely, and they are particularly difficult to identify. Whilst some geographic areas are more critical than others, there are lonely people everywhere in Norfolk, even amongst the wealthier, healthier communities.

Types of support service include:

• Foundation services – reach lonely people and understand their specific circumstances to help them find the right support.
• Gateway services – like transport and technology – are the ‘glue’ that keeps people active and engaged and makes it possible for communities for come together.
• Direct interventions – maintain existing relationships and enable new connections – either group-based or one-to-one support, as well as emotional support services.

Commissioners need to consider what ‘structural enablers’ are needed in their communities to help combat loneliness – such as volunteering in community groups or setting up a Good Neighbour Scheme.

Organisations and voluntary sector groups are working across Norfolk to tackle loneliness. Community Action Norfolk is involved in a number of initiatives, including the County Council’s ‘In Good Company’ campaign. Local newspapers, radio and TV are doing a great job in highlighting the good work that’s going on. Here are just two examples – £2.4 million to help and No Lonely Day.

Updates on Social Isolation Services

Social Isolation and Loneliness services have been recommissioned across the county by Norfolk County Council and are open to people over 18, whose primary issue is loneliness.  These are open referral services with all organisations and individuals able to directly access the service.  Norfolk is covered under three area based schemes:

• Better Together – for Norwich, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk

For referrals please visit: https://www.bettertogethernorfolk.org.uk/

• CAN Connect – for North Norfolk and Breckland

For information Contact: [email protected]

For referrals please visit: https://canconnect.org.uk/

• Lily – for West Norfolk

Contact: [email protected].

For referrals please visit: https://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/westnorfolk/cd/contact.page.

New services to help ensure no lonely day in…

People affected by loneliness and social isolation in Norfolk can now turn to a comprehensive range of new services for help and support.

Commissioned and funded by Norfolk County Council, the new services include a county-wide network of “Life Connectors” who work directly with people to provide coaching, practical advice and support to help people make and maintain relationships and strong links within their community.

Telephone and online support, advice and information is also available.

The services are provided to Norfolk residents aged 18 and over through:

• The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s established Lily service. Formerly focused on supporting people in later life, Lily has now expanded to work with all adults in West Norfolk and Swaffham over the age of 18.
• The new Better Together Norfolk service by Voluntary Norfolk to support residents living in central, southern and eastern parts of the county.
• The new CAN Connect service by Community Action Norfolk, to support North Norfolk residents.

Speaking about the £2.4m services, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Adult Social Care Committee, Councillor Bill Borrett said: “I’m very proud that we are leading the way when it comes to tackling this big issue.

“This is another example of how, in spite of the significant funding pressures we are facing in Adult Social Care, we will invest in services that help our residents to live independent, healthy lives for as long as possible in stronger, more resilient, communities.

“They’re also part of our award-winning In Good Company campaign, launched two years ago, which has been recognised as best practice by the Government, Jo Cox Commission, Campaign to End Loneliness and Local Government Association.”

The new services include outreach, promoting volunteering opportunities and benefits, asset mapping and addressing rural issues such as transport and use of technology in order to support people to become and stay well-connected in their local area.

Health and social work practitioners can help people access the service, but residents can also refer themselves, for example over the telephone or online.

Jonathan Clemo, Chief Executive of Community Action Norfolk said “We are delighted to be part of this exciting initiative. Overcoming loneliness is about building strong connections between people, services and communities. Our CAN Connect service is designed to do just that, particularly with our Life Connectors who are there to give people that little extra help and confidence to get involved in a new activity, identify what is really important to them or find the answer to a problem they are facing.”

Kevin Vaughan, Health & Social Care Manager at Voluntary Norfolk said “We’re delighted to have the opportunity, through Better Together Norfolk, to extend the core work of Voluntary Norfolk and our partners, in working with residents to build communities and create connections.

“It’s through the strength of our partnerships, and by working together, that we can hope to achieve real social change, creating strong inclusive communities and ensuring there is #nolonelyday for our residents.

“Whether it’s calling the Better Together Helpline, meeting with a Life Connector or attending one of our community events, we aim to connect and value people, giving them a voice by ensuring that they are heard and offering a service that is focused on what matters to them.

Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and cabinet member of Culture Heritage and Health, said: “Being part of the ‘In Good Company’ initiative means we are able to provide an inter-generational service to help reduce social isolation across west Norfolk.  The online LILY directory is being expanded to support access to a whole range of social activities and information for all adults over the age of 18. We have also expanded our LILY Adviser service which will mean people can have up to five one-to-one meetings with a Lily Adviser.  This could provide help with identifying specific barriers, finding social activities that would help, or even attending an activity with someone.

“Reducing all types of social isolation can really help someone’s mental wellbeing and general health, so we are keen to reach out to people of all ages through our online and face-to-face services.”

Residents of West Norfolk and Swaffham affected by loneliness or social isolation can call Lily on 01553 616200.
Residents living outside West Norfolk and Swaffham can call Better Together or CAN Connect on 0300 303 3920.

CAN Connect Service goes Live

The CAN Connect service is led by Community Action Norfolk and is part of a range of services across Norfolk aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation.

The service can help individuals connect with people and activities in their community as well as providing a range of support to help them achieve their goals. The service can also provide support for the community itself. Helping organisations and people make the places we live, stronger, friendlier and more resilient.

For general project enquiries please contact the CAN Office 01326 698216

To make a referral please go to the CAN Connect website canconnect.org.uk/get-support/ or call 0300 303 3920