FOLD Rural isolation, exacerbated by a lack of public transport and difficulty in accessing services, can lead to high levels of loneliness. And that loneliness can have an impact on all aspects of a person’s life, including their health. Inspired by the success of other schemes in Cumbria, former GP Ashley Liston set up a new Linking Lives service in the Upper Eden area around Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. Linking Lives aims to match experienced volunteer befrienders with isolated people who have been identified as needing support. Referrals to the service will come from individuals and families as well as health care professionals such as social prescribers. Reducing isolation and loneliness has a positive impact on mental health and will help avoid medical intervention. A number of other local services such as food banks, Rotary, and local councils have helped to set up the service and volunteer befrienders are already coming forward to offer their help. It is clear that the service will have a positive impact not only on those isolated individuals who need support, but also on the volunteer befrienders themselves. Volunteer Denise Findlay, a retired District Nurse described a real sense of joy in doing something so worthwhile, ‘making a difference to someone's life by doing such a simple thing.’ To help set up and manage the programme, the Foundation made a grant of £7,000 from the Eden Rural Community Fund, Out of Eden Fund and Westmorland Family Community Fund to appoint a Scheme Coordinator. Linking lives in Upper Eden Cumbria, with its World Heritage landscape, is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live and work. It has some serious upsides, but that beautiful rural landscape does mask significant social issues. People who are socially isolated are 26% more likely to develop dementia Poor social relationships are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Alzheimer’s Research UK, 8 June 2022 BMJ Journals, Heart, 10 June 2016 Equity and inclusion in action All children and young people need access to activities regardless of any additional needs or challenges they may face. School holidays can be particularly difficult. Lots of activities may be taking place, but they are often not suitable for children and young people with disabilities who can feel excluded and isolated. Those with physical disabilities may not be able to compete equally, but barriers to participation also exist for those with less obvious hidden issues such as fear of noise or crowds of unknown people and difficulties in communicating. Barrow Community Sports Trust runs holiday clubs for young people coping with a range of issues from visible physical disabilities such as wheelchair users to children with learning difficulties, autism, ADHD and other undiagnosed difficulties. The Trust provides a safe space to take part in fun and healthy activities with siblings and close friends. Activities include exclusive swimming sessions, Friday Football, a bouncy castle, and plenty of space for free play and socialising. Horse riding sessions are particularly popular. The swim sessions have been so successful that they are also running in term time too. A grant from the Foundation of £4,000 from three funds, including one set up by Thomas Graham & Sons, has helped to support these activities this year. Children and young people who attend gain confidence and social skills, but the sessions also provide an opportunity for parents and carers to get out of the house and participate and socialise with each other. One parent said: My son benefits a lot from the activities. It has helped build his confidence mixing with other children outside of school. He thoroughly enjoys all the activities he attends. Staff are great, they engage well with the children and have a great understanding of their needs. We always feel welcome, and we are really happy with the programme. The sessions are open to all, without referral, and the Trust does not ask for proof of disability or additional needs. Jordan O’Keefe, Equity Coordinator for the Trust, said: Our view is if you think your child will benefit from attending, they are welcome. It’s all about benefitting the kids – it’s about them. WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - UPPER EDEN LINKING LIVES WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - BARROW COMMUNITY SPORTS TRUST Volunteer befriender Denise Findlay with Ashley Liston Growing Local Philanthropy 12 13
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