NI campaign calls for urgent strategy to tackle loneliness
The Campaign to End Loneliness has called on the Northern Ireland Government to introduce an urgent strategy to tackle loneliness.
It has joined a call by 73 local organisations from across the country- drawn from the community and voluntary sector, professional bodies, business, faith-based groups, arts organisations and trade unions.
Together they have penned an open letter asking the First and Deputy First Ministers to urgently start work on a strategy.
It follows the publication of the organisations latest report which showed that of the 2,000 adults polled 71% said they are worried about someone they know being lonely during the winter months because of Covid-19 restrictions.
While 88% of people said loneliness has become a bigger problem since the start of the pandemic and 71% said they want the NI Assembly to do more to tackle the issue.
Robin Hewings is the Director of Campaigns, Policy and Research, he said the report draws on interviews with a wide range of people who have been affected by loneliness.
He said: “Our new report is the first report focused on Northern Ireland to set out in detail the impacts and causes of loneliness across all ages.
“The scale of support from civil society and the public for further action on loneliness is striking.
“People say that loneliness is a bigger problem than before and are concerned for people they know.
“That is why we have joined so many organisations to call for urgent cross-government action on this issue."
He added: “A strategy can join up existing work and drive forward improvements as we get through this winter and hopefully emerge from Covid restrictions.
“A step change in efforts to tackle loneliness is required that can best be driven forward by a fully resourced, cross government strategy.
“As well as practice from Northern Ireland we can also learn from loneliness strategies and action plans in other parts of Britain and Ireland to show what can make a difference.
“A strategy can help to show the gaps and create the connections between different streams of work.
“On top of this, strategic funding can help to improve the evidence base about what works to tackle loneliness and address groups who are particularly at risk.
“A wide range of policies can be seen through a ‘loneliness lens’ so that they can be part of tackling loneliness and creating connections.
Dr Laurence Dorman, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners NI, said:
“A GP practice is a safe space for patients and unfortunately family doctors often see the devastating impact that loneliness can have.
“A loneliness strategy for Northern Ireland is so important to set out a comprehensive plan to eradicate this debilitating condition.
“To truly address loneliness, we need to see collaboration between government departments, health and social care professionals and the community/voluntary sector.”
He added: “With huge pressures on a GPs time, it can be difficult to identify the signs of loneliness immediately and to provide the detailed support and care that people need to overcome loneliness.
"We need to see vital investment in social prescribing and in the multidisciplinary team model, which will embed social workers and mental health practitioners in every GP practice, so all our patients can avail of the support they need in their own community.
“A loneliness strategy for Northern Ireland is so important to set out a comprehensive plan to eradicate this debilitating condition.
“To truly address loneliness, we need to see collaboration between government departments, health and social care professionals and the community/voluntary sector.”