Centre for Ageing Better welcomes new government plan on loneliness
The government has launched a major effort to tackle loneliness and social isolation during the coronavirus outbreak and period of social distancing.
Our past work was aimed at ensuring more people in their 50s and 60s can participate and do things that matter to them in their communities.
People who help out in their community – from everyday acts of neighbourliness to more formal volunteering roles – tend to be happier and to develop a better quality and quantity of relationships and sense of purpose in their lives.
Those who are less well off or have health concerns are much less likely to be able to contribute their time and talents, especially through formal volunteering.
Our joint review with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) into community contributions and volunteering sets out the barriers that make it difficult for people to take part. The review also offers six principles for engaging people and creating age-friendly and inclusive opportunities.
Following the review, Ageing Better and DCMS supported five projects around England to test these principles in practice and develop age-friendly and inclusive ways to widen and sustain the involvement of people in later life, regardless of their background.
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