HenPower held up as positive way to combat loneliness in national report

A new report has warned chronic loneliness threatens the health of one in 10 older people.

Announced today the publication by Age UK and The Campaign to End Loneliness raises concerns that the issue is becoming a major public health challenge with urgent action needed.

Entitled Promising approaches to reducing loneliness and isolation in later life, the report also sets out a new framework for understanding how to tackle the problem.

Our HenPower project is among the case studies demonstrating how loneliness and isolation can be successfully tackled with group-based interventions.

Since 2012 we have been working with older men and women at risk of loneliness as part of our successful HenPower project. The initiative sees members become active volunteers taking the project into care settings and schools across the region to share their enthusiasm for hen-keeping.

Equal Arts director Douglas Hunter said: “The report highlights how experts found group-based services focused on shared interests as most promising when trying to combat loneliness and we are delighted HenPower has been recognised for the benefits it can bring to those involved.

“We are also pleased to see the sometimes overlooked issue of loneliness within care settings raised within the report.”

To find out more about getting involved or becoming a HenPowered home ring 0191 477 5775 or email information@equalarts.org.uk

For more information about the report visit www.campaigntoendloneliness.org