In light of Loneliness Awareness Week two of our DCA Carer Support Workers have worked together to find resources to support any unpaid, informal carers who could be feeling an element of loneliness due to their caring role.

Most people feel lonely however we recognise that having additional responsibilities to care for a loved one can increase those feelings of loneliness as this often means you can become isolated and if this feeling continues this can become an issue.

We want to ensure you have all of the resources you need in order to support your own wellbeing, therefore please take a look at the information below that could support you.

 

Some facts about carers in the UK and their experiences of loneliness and social isolation: (Taken from Carersuk website)

• Carers are seven times more likely than the general population to say they are always or often lonely.^[1]

 

• 7 in 10 working carers (71%) have felt lonely or isolated in the workplace as a result of their caring responsibilities.^[4]

 

• More than half (57%) of carers have lost touch with friends or family as a result of caring^[5] and 6 in 10 (61%) said they were worried about the impact of caring on their relationships with friends and family.^[6]

 

• Around half (49%) of carers say they have experienced difficulties in their relationship with their partner due to their caring role.

 

• Nearly two thirds of carers (65%) feel lonelier and more isolated than before the pandemic and this rises to 7 in 10 (70%) for those who are parent carers.^[7]

 

• Carers who have reached breaking point as a result of caring are twice as likely to say that they are socially isolated because they are unable to leave the house and are also more likely to have experienced depression as a result of caring.^[9]

 

What is important to note is that within feeling lonely and isolated there is various support that can be accessed, whether that be through meeting others in a group setting to socialise or support over the phone.

Different things will appeal to you individually and the type of support you are looking for, please look at the various support below which can be accessed.

 

Let’s Chat

700 benches were placed around the county, which was aimed at starting conversations about mental health, helping people connect and reducing isolation.

 

The sign (pictured below) went to local councils, organisations and businesses and were put on benches across Derbyshire. A map of where a selection of bench signs and indoor signs have been put can be found here. 

 

B: friend

Let’s End Loneliness together. Matching volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours.

Areas: Chesterfield, NE Derbyshire, Part(s) of Derbyshire.

https://www.letsbfriend.org.uk/our-charity/

Get in touch

Call / Text: 07523 698 530
info@letsbfriend.org.uk

 

Derbyshire Voluntary Action

 www.feelingconnected.org.uk

Feeling Connected’ is a partnership project led by Derbyshire Voluntary Action which aims to improve local approaches to social connectedness in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire

 

Age UK

 Call 0800 678 1602 available 8am to 7pm, every day of the year. 

Age UK also provide Tel befriending in Erewash.

Fairfield & Buxton – Social Meetings.

Visits in High peak & Derbyshire Dales

 

Derbyshire County Council

Offer support via their website search ‘Tackling loneliness’ on their website and it will show you what support you can access according to where you live in Derbyshire.

 

Samaritans

Can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or you can visit some branches in person.

 

British Red Cross

Offers practical & emotional support Tel 0808 196 3651

 

The IsLAND project

(Isolation and Loneliness Action Networks Derbyshire) is a National Lottery funded project which helps people looking for befriending and social connectedness activities to find the right service for them.

Anyone living in Derbyshire, or organisations working in Derbyshire, can access Island support, email befriending@sdcvs.org.uk or tel: 07305 049959. (Information taken from DCC website)

Mobilise:

Free online support for unpaid Carers

www.mobiliseonline.co.uk