On the 23rd February VHS held an interactive seminar with keynote speaker Trevor Owen, and a panel of four third sector organisations; Befriending Networks, Age Scotland, British Red Cross, and the Scottish Volunteering Forum. The aim of the seminar was to discuss what the National Social Isolation Strategy could look like, and give third sector organisations an opportunity to input to the strategy.
Some interesting points from the seminar included:
- Volunteering being a golden thread and community activity being an invisible thread that could help tackle loneliness and social isolation
- A new campaign called ‘Meet Me’
- Fire Services receiving training and support to play a more active role in recognising the signs of loneliness and social isolation
The full key messages report is now available – Key messages from Voluntary Health Scotland’s Gathering Loneliness Seminar 2017
The Twitter Storify report from the event is also available -#LonelinessStrategy Storify Report
Background briefing on loneliness and social isolation: Loneliness Briefing Paper
