Department for Communities Scrutiny Committee Task & Finish Group 2018/19
Loneliness in Carmarthenshire
Draft Planning & Scoping Document
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Task & Finish Objective(s) |
· To review the impact of loneliness in Carmarthenshire
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Context
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Loneliness is seen by many as one of the largest health concerns we face. There has been growing political interest in loneliness as a significant social problem. Here are the reasons why:
Health risks
Mental health risks
Who is affected by loneliness?
Loneliness in older age
Loneliness in younger people
Loneliness and families
Loneliness and disabled people
Loneliness and the economy
Loneliness in Carmarthenshire
There are no specific statistics that measure the perception of loneliness in Carmarthenshire but there a number of factors which indicate that it may be a major issue here:
Loneliness in Wales
· It was announced in Feb 2018 that tackling the causes of loneliness and social isolation is a national priority for the Welsh Government, (Minister for Children and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies) · The Welsh Government have agreed to: will: o Identify areas of work across that could be accelerated to tackle the issue o During 2018, publish for consultation a cross-government strategy on loneliness and isolation with a final strategy published by March 2019 o Commission work to assess the impact of loneliness and isolation on health and well-being and whether people experiencing these issues make increased use of public services.
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Membership
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Elected Members· To be agreed at the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee Meeting to be held on 21st May, 2018 · Up to 6 Elected Members appointed to reflect the political balance of the Council as whole.
Advisors / Support Officers
TBC
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The main aims of the review
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· To review the prevalence and impact on loneliness in Carmarthenshire
· To review strategy, action plan and services in place to address loneliness
· To formulate recommendations for consideration by the Executive Board.
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Scope of the review
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This review will focus on Carmarthenshire’s strategy and delivery plan to address loneliness. |
How it will contribute to achieving corporate / community objectives and well- being objectives
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Contributes to the following outcomes from the County Council’s Corporate Strategy 2015-20: · People in Carmarthenshire are healthier · Providing services as efficiently as possible, ensuring value for money… · Investigating and developing new ways of working and providing services · Increasing collaboration with our partners and communities in order support the delivery of services
This project will link directly to the following Carmarthenshire County Council Well-being objectives: · Strongly connected people, places and organisations who are resilient to change.
Delivering Carmarthenshire County Council Ageing Well Plan: · Loneliness and isolation · Dementia Friendly communities · Age friendly communities · Opportunities for employment and volunteering
Delivering Carmarthenshire’s Vision for Sustainable Services for Older People: · Promote independence, community engagement and social inclusion. · Promote health and wellbeing of older people
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List of key stakeholders [not exhaustive]
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· Integrated Services · Housing/Direct Services · Mental Health/Learning disability Services · Community Regeneration · Leisure · Public Health · HDUHB Primary Care · CAVS / Third Sector · Non-maintained Sector and Private providers · Democratic Services (information on how often reported from Elected Members) · Other as identified |
What information / documents are required to inform the work of the study? [not exhaustive] |
· To be agreed at the meeting of the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee to be held on 21st May, 2018
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Timescale for completion of the review |
Monday, 21st May, 2018 · Draft Planning & Scoping Document to SC&H Scrutiny Committee
Research and Evidence Gathering period – June to November
2018:- Thursday, 14th June, 2018 – T&F Group Meeting 1 · Agree overall approach for the review
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Draft project plan Thursday,
19th July, 2018 – T&F Group Meeting 2 Thursday,
13th September, 2018 – T&F Group Meeting
3 Wednesday, 17th October, 2018 – T&F Group Meeting 4
Monday, 19th November, 2018 –
T&F Group Meeting 5 Monday, 17th December, 2018 · Final Report to Committee |
[1] (Holt-Lunstad, 2010)
[2] •(Holt-Lunstad, 2010)
[3] •(Valtorta et al, 2016)
[4] (Holt-Lunstad, 2015)
[5] (Holwerdal et al 2010)
[6] •(Twenge et al 2001)
[7] MIND www.mond.co.uk
[8] Lonely Society Report The Mental Health Foundation
[9] Wang et al Social Isolation and Mental Health
[10] Campaign to end loneliness https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/resources/
[11] Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-closeness/201601/3-surprising-truths-about-gender-and-loneliness
[12] ONS
[13] Carmarthenshire’s Wellbeing Plan http://www.thecarmarthenshirewewant.wales/