Social Isolation & Loneliness

The definitions of loneliness and social isolation that is used by the Scottish Government in their 2018 strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections are:

“Social isolation refers to when an individual has an objective lack of social relationships (in terms of quality and/or quantity) at individual group, community and societal levels”

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“Loneliness is a subjective feeling experienced when there is a difference between the social relationships we would like to have and those we have.”

Although social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone. The effects of social isolation, and experiences of loneliness, are not distributed equally across society.

The 2024 Scottish Household Survey reported that:

·         20% of adults living in Scotland experienced feelings of loneliness in the last week

·         The oldest and youngest age groups report the highest levels of loneliness.

·         Disabled people were over twice as likely to experience loneliness as non-disabled people

·         Single pensioners, single adults and single parents were also much more likely to experience loneliness in the last week compared to adults from other household types

·         Those living in the 20% most deprived areas were over twice as likely to experience feelings of loneliness as those living in the 20% least deprived areas

How loneliness affects health:

Campaign to End Loneliness suggests that there are three ways that loneliness is associated with negative health outcomes:

·         Behavioural – health-risk behaviours that are associated with loneliness, such as smoking and physical inactivity. 

·         Psychological – loneliness is associated with lower self-esteem, and limited use of active coping methods

·         Physiological – impacts to health-related physiology like immune function and blood pressure.

Ask:
Questions to guide conversation

Do you think you’d benefit from seeing more people or taking part in new activities?

How often do you feel lonely? Hardly ever or never, some of the time, or often?

There are a range of social activities that you may want to find out about or some people.  

Would you like to build up your social connections?

 

Assist:
If patient/client is experiencing loneliness or social isolation

There are a range of social activities that you may want to find out. We can suggest a couple of contacts that may help you find out what opportunities there are in your local area.

How can we build up your connections?

Would you be interested in taking part in some activities in your area or do some volunteering?

There are ‘Community Connectors’ or ‘Social Prescribers’ who can help connect you with opportunities to improve your health and wellbeing more broadly. Would this be of interest to you?

 
If patient/client is not experiencing loneliness or social isolation

Tell the individual that it is good that they are managing. If anything changes, there are services that can help, and they can find out more through their local volunteer centre or own GP practice.

 

Community
Social Prescribing enables people to access services and activities that meet their wider needs around health, wellbeing and connection.  For more information on social prescribing in Tayside visit NHS Tayside.

 

Scotland’s Service Directory provides details of health and wellbeing services in Scotland Scotland's Service Directory | NHS inform

Dundee 
People can refer directly via their GP Practice’s reception and ask for an appointment with the Social Prescriber.  Or contact Sources of Support Service on 01382 496754.

Dundee Voluntary and Volunteer Action One Stop Shop can help people to access local services and activities. Contact dialop@dvva.scot or call 01382 305757 or visit DVVA Social Inclusion Padlet

 
Angus
People can refer directly via their GP Practice’s reception and ask for an appointment with the Community Link Worker or they can contact the Link Worker for their area directly Community Link Workers – Voluntary Action Angus

The Angus Community Connector can help people to find organisations, services, community groups and social enterprises in their area of Angus Angus Community Connector