Tens of thousands of lonely people in North Yorkshire

Latest figures show 105,000 residents, around 17.5 per cent of the population have been diagnosed with health conditions or disabilities, there are 39,000 widows, with 132,490 single people and up to 30,000 people aged 16 and above say they are experiencing chronic loneliness.

North Yorkhsire Council is coorindating a new scheme to try and ensure residents experiencing loneliness can get advice and help to prevent the profound impact isolation can have on health.

They are channelling up to £1.5m to charities and community groups to target those most in need, especially across the vast rural areas of England’s largest county.

Grants under the Stay Healthy, Independent and Connected project have been awarded to 25 organisations to point loneley residents to specialist support to help them engage more in communities.

Organisers say research has shown loneliness can prove to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and people enduring isolation are 50 per cent more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy social relationships.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: "The effects of loneliness are wide-ranging and often complex, and can affect anyone from any section of society.

"It is obviously a problem that is of huge concern across the whole of the country, but in North Yorkshire there are very specific issues. Many communities live in deeply rural areas and it is often difficult to reach those most in need. This new co-ordinated approach will provide life-changing support and help ensure we tackle loneliness as effectively as possible.”

The new prevention grants were launched at the same time as the new council at the start of April and a total of £450,000 in funding is being provided through the health and adult services directorate.

Money is being used to help promote activities and events through community organisations, such as luncheon clubs, coffee mornings and gardening clubs to engage with people.

Work is also under way to support community transport schemes to ensure people are given the ability to travel to events.

The project is building links forged with community support organisations, during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as schemes such as the council’s Living Well service.

The free initiative aims to improve the health, well-being and independence of adults. The grants will also dovetail with a scheme to create community anchors across North Yorkshire.

A total of £1.5 million in funding will be spread over the next three years, to help build the capacity of community and voluntary groups acting as key points of contact for the council, providing hubs for the public to get advice and support and increase resilience in communities.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance said: "Communities throughout North Yorkshire have come together in recent years through some of the toughest of times, helping the most vulnerable members of society through Covid-19 and now the cost of living crisis.

"We are committed to helping ensure these strong community links are nurtured and grow to provide support for anyone who feels the effects of social isolation."

Among community organisations benefiting is Skipton Step Into Action, which was established during the pandemic.

The group was launched in March 2020 just before the first lockdown and 360 volunteers were recruited to collect shopping and prescriptions.

A need was identified to support people feeling socially isolated, and a series of initiatives set up, including Ground Yourself in Green project in Aireville Park. Arts and crafts, yoga and mindfulness events are held on Thursday each week between April and September.

There is a well-being café and transport services are being developed with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

Skipton Step Into Action’s founder Charlotte McKeown, said: "The pandemic highlighted issues with social isolation that were already evident, but it brought into sharp focus that there are so many people out there who need help and support.

“Collaboration is important across the whole of the voluntary sector, as we are able to help support and bring together our resources. Having one council now will make sure there is a strong voice for us all, and it will help make sure services provided are as effective and efficient as possible.”

Young people are often affected in North Yorkshire because they live in countryside communities and face travelling long distances to be wirth friens.

A total of 52,000 young adults aged 16 to 24 years, around 8.5 per cent of North Yorkshire’s population reported feeling lonely more often than those in older age groups.

More information on the support and activities available from Skipton Step Into Action is available at www.ssia.org.uk online, information on support groups can be found in local libraries.