Social Isolation Peer Support Group...
This group was developed when a group of front-line workers felt that they wanted more support dealing with the sensitive and emotive issue of older people who are socially isolated. There are currently over 40 members of the Network (which has doubled since the LinkAge Plus Project provided funding). The members are front-line workers, both statutory and voluntary sector, and span a range of prfessions, from community matrons to occupational therapists to social workers to housing managers to Neighbourhood Network Scheme Workers.
The Peer Support Group provides information to members on social isolation and related issues and meets every 2 months, in an informal setting to provide 'peer support' between workers: sharing successes, frustrations, challenges and ideas.
For more information on the Social Isolation Peer Support Group, please contact the Forum office
'Older People and Social Isolation:
A Resource Pack'
In partnership with the Link Age Plus Project, Leeds Older People's Forum and their Social Isolation Peer Support Group have compiled a comprehensive and easy to use Resource Pack, containing information, key contacts and advice about working with older people who are socially isolated.
This pack is ideal to update skills, to improve knowledge and to share best practice information for all professionals, from any sector. There are also training materials included with the pack.
The pack is free - if you would like a copy, please contact Leeds Older People's Forum, by phone (0113) 380 4922 or e-mail vsrg@opforum.org.uk
Alternativeley; you can download the pack (in .pdf format) by clicking here or on the picture below
Isolating Challenges
Conference Report and Action Plan
Isolating Challenges was a conference held in September 2008 for frontline workers to tackle the issues faced by socially isolated or lonely older people in Leeds.
A Report and Action Plan has now been published CLICK HERE to download
There were two presentations given at the conference, which you can also download:
Out of Sight Out Of Mind: Social Exclusion Behind Closed Doors
Andrea Baron, Age Concern England
Social Isolation - What Can We Do About It?
Dr Mima Catton, Centre For Health Promotion Research, Leeds Metropolitan University
"Sometimes you feel that you are on your own and isolated yourself, but through talking with other workers, I feel relieved to share the issues with people who understand."
Peer Support Group Member
Leeds Older People's Forum
