Loneliness and social isolation harm health and increase early death risk by 26%, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and a higher risk than those of obesity and inactivity.
Loneliness has been rising for decades, not just due to COVID-19. A fast changing world and less face-to-face engagement is affecting many people’s relationships.
The good news is now we know better, we can do better!
Rushcliffe Social Prescribing Service are partnering with local organisations to create calendars of free events, allowing people to foster new relationships and a sense of belonging in a warm, welcoming environment.
It’s a huge misconception that loneliness only occurs in older people, but in fact it can affect anyone and younger adults are often those that struggle the most.
We must take responsibility and act to address it.
For more information and to discover events in the calendars, please visit the Rushcliffe Primary Care Network website at https://www.rushcliffehealth.org/friendship-calendars.