Help and support for East Riding residents feeling lonely and isolated

People who are struggling with isolation and loneliness in the East Riding are being offered help and support.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust says according to a survey of UK adults which took place during the first lockdown, one in four (25%) said they had feelings of loneliness in the “previous two weeks”.

It says as we settle into the second national lockdown, there is a concern that this percentage might increase further as a result of continued restrictions across the country. To tackle this, the Trust’s YOURhealth service has developed a ‘go-to booklet’ to help provide advice and guidance at this time.

The Trust says many people feel lonely from time to time and these short-term feelings shouldn’t harm their mental health. However, when the same numbers of people were asked this question in the weeks previous to lockdown, only 10% said they felt feelings of loneliness.

It says with social distancing and lockdown, the feelings of loneliness may become more serious and long-term loneliness is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and increased stress. The impact of long-term loneliness on mental health can be very hard to manage and extremely distressing for many individuals, especially for those who live alone.

The YOURhealth service’s ‘go-to booklet’ was developed to help all adults across the East Riding who feels they need to speak to someone and connect with others.

The booklet includes recommended methods to reduce feelings of loneliness, and encouraging advice to help people to learn new skills or take up new or existing hobbies, for example, to tackle any negative feelings that may come up as a result of isolation.

You can find the booklet here: https://www.nhs-health-trainers.co.uk/

Natalie Belt, Service Manager at YOURhealth, said:

“Covid-19 restrictions haven’t been easy for anyone, but it’s been particularly difficult for those living alone in the East Riding. As we find ourselves in another national lockdown, now is the time to take action to curb loneliness and prevent long-term damage to our mental health and emotional wellbeing.”

If you’re looking to make a change to your health and wellbeing but don’t know where to start, find out how you can get further support by calling the YOURhealth team on 0800 9177752 or email HNF-TR.healthtrainers@nhs.net.

The team are based across the East Riding and can help you with several topics, including:

• Stopping smoking

• Weight management

• Alcohol

• Stress and anxiety

• Physical activity

• Isolation and loneliness

Alternatively join our Health Trainers on Twitter and Instagram where we will help motivate you and provide you with daily hints and tips:

@healthtrainers1 on twitter

@smokefreegen_er on Instagram

Health Trainer support is FREE via your local Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust.