‘From loneliness to social connection’ – launch of a WHO report

(Photo credit: The Centre for Ageing Better)

The Salvation Army’s Director of Older Peoples’ services, Andrew Wileman, recently drew our attention to a report published in June of this year by the World Health Organisation. Andrew has taken a lead in faith groups’ involvement with the Government’s initiative ‘Campaign to End Loneliness’, whilst the Salvation Army as a whole has been at the forefront of advocating for wider conversation around social isolation, with their campaign ‘No-one Alone’ (https://www.salvationist.org.uk/resources/community-engagement/no-one-alone ).

The report – a summary of which can be found here , https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/who-commission-on-social-connection/whocsc-plainlanguage-en_comp.pdf?sfvrsn=c5396dff_6&download=true

 makes for sobering reading. WHO highlights that huge numbers of deaths (871,000) reported across the world during the research period can be attributed to loneliness, and that prolonged social isolation impacts a wide range of age groups and people in differing circumstances. Yet, challenge and opportunity are included in the report too: community initiatives and personal strategies are recommended but, as Andrew notes, there is no mention of the significant role that all faith communities, including the Church, have to play in these.

The report will be further discussed when representatives from faith groups will gather to explore a revised approach to the Campaign to End Loneliness here in the UK in September with the APPG, which Ministry Lead Debbie Ducille hopes to attend. Watch this space!

(Photo credit: the Centre for Ageing Better)

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