Agenda item

This report sets out a draft action plan which offers an overall approach

and an initial series of actions aimed at reducing isolation and loneliness

in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Anita Parkin reported on the draft Social Isolation and Loneliness (SIL) Action Plan, which provided an overall approach to addressing SIL, within the framework of the both the Boards and the Councils SIL priorities. Anyone could experience SIL but some groups were more vulnerable, confirming links to deprivation, poverty and homelessness.  Loneliness itself was harder to define or quantify. Any approach should be cost effective and make good use of existing resources. Many service providers and communities were actively trying to address this, bringing communities together. 

In 2018, the Board undertook an exercise that indicated little evidence of the impact. However, this work clearly identified groups such as older men, and new mothers, supporting the view that the experience of SIL was not limited to older people. Most, recent interventions were offered to these two specific groups.  The question to ask was how to identify connections between individuals and groups.  There were real opportunities to involve commercial organisations and businesses.  They had recently met with representatives from the Queens Park Rangers Trust and had discussed potential areas of good work. 

The report covered three key areas: prevent, respond and restore. Section 8.2 of the report set out possible actions and the outcomes that were anticipated. A core steering group would be necessary to maintain impetus, and to help determine and shape delivery of the planned actions and outcomes.  This should be a community led group. It was also important look within our own organisations at for example, staff training.  Within the Council, there were frontline staff who had regular contact with residents.  Both regular and incidental encounters with residents were essential contact opportunities to utilise for the benefit of those experiencing SIL.

Councillor Coleman pointed out that if there was to be improved engagement with residents, then the starting point was from within Boards partner organisations. The Council, for example, needed to ensure its own staff were not SIL.  A third of Council staff lived within the Borough, therefore two thirds travelled long distances to get to work.  There was a need to train and equip staff.  Councillor Coleman encouraged the CCG to engage in dialogue with hospital trusts and GP practices to highlight the approach. It was important to understand how each organisation supported its own staff.

Giles Piercy, from White City Enterprise welcomed the draft action plan.  He expressed an interest in undertaking and supporting small projects, and local initiatives, which could be combined and supported by larger projects, such as White City Enterprise. 

In terms of next steps, a combined, community based approach was necessary to move forward.  There was a recognition that advocating new projects was not the solution, but to build upon previous work, enhancing what was currently working well and developing this further. Social prescribing was not a new method of working, but could address SIL but it was important to develop a template for guidance. 

A collective, partnership approach was required to allow engagement and to initiate projects.  Considering the involvement of local GPs, Councillor Coleman suggested that he write to local practices to discuss ways in which to develop innovative SIL solutions. The Frome initiative succeeded because the impetus to drive it forward came from local people who wanted change in their locality. An invitation to the GP networks to participate in a group event such as a ‘thinkathon’, was suggested.  Vanessa Andreae suggested a speeding dating style event involving local groups and community networks, to help map existing projects that could help tackle SIL.  Involving NHS colleagues who felt sufficiently stimulated to develop ideas and to continue the conversation was one way in which innovation could be encouraged, with similar conversations facilitated across the Council. 

The challenge was to better understand what was already being provided, by whom, and, what were people unaware of.  The provision and the person who would benefit, needed to be connected at a local level, focusing on a place or neighbourhood. Churches, tenants and resident’s associations, were examples of community based provision, offering local and accessible activities for young adults, new mothers and older people.  Working according to geographic area was key, to allow local elements to be brought together, for example, White City. It was acknowledged that whilst GP’s were limited in terms of capacity, their involvement was needed.  It was noted that the Council was also piloting a Ward working prototype, which offered opportunities to develop a geographic based approach.

ACTION: Councillor Coleman to write to GP’s to suggest thinkathon style event; Vanessa Andreae to consult CCG Governing Body

Janet Cree described a local campaign that would commence on 9 February, to help give information and raise awareness of NHS services.  Working with QPR Football Club, ten videos involving footballer players and GPs would help communicate information to residents.  This was commended as a great initiative and it was hoped that there would be similar opportunities work with the Council.

In summarising the key points, Councillor Coleman emphasised the need to ensure proper evaluation and measurement of the outcomes, to help determine what could be achieved and how, for example by running a control group.