In partnership, the Working Group aims to identify, develop and test ways of improving the quality of life of older people who may be lonely and isolated and are at risk from declining health and wellbeing. In particular, the Group encourages work to identify and engage those who are hard to reach in the community by:
The Improving the Lives of Excluded Older People working group has merged with the Loneliness & Isolation working group. There was much overlap between the issues covered by each group and it was agreed they could be addressed more effectively through combined effort. While often associated with material deprivation, disadvantage and disability, older people who are socially-excluded are also isolated and very often feel lonely. Practical action to improve the lives of isolated and lonely older people should encompass those who are also socially-excluded.
Shelagh works closely with the Campaign to End Loneliness, and is a significant influence on strategy and raising awareness of current published research. She is committed to ensuring best practice and current research are shared and used as widely and effectively as possible within the Age Action Alliance network, and beyond.
Shelagh was awarded an OBE in June 2014 for her work with the elderly.
Our Chair, Shelagh, is now designated an Ambassador for the Campaign to End Loneliness and has delivered 12 workshops across Yorkshire and Humber to raise awareness of:
Chat Mats from Coffee Companions really are for anyone, anywhere at any time – especially when mind reading doesn’t work. However, some people will feel nervous or daunted by the idea of sitting there with a Chat Mat on their table waiting to see if someone will join them – that is why Coffee Companions also includes the notion of Companions Hour. Locations that register via the website will be listed so that those either living in or visiting the area can see who is particularly happy to welcome new and existing customers wanting to chat. In the longer term this will have a nominal monthly cost to encourage locations to keep their listing up to date (we don’t want someone to pluck up their courage, perhaps venture out for the first time in a while, and then be turned away) but for the next 3 months (at least), locations can ‘give it a go’ for FREE with no long term obligation.
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Ditch the stereotypical obsession with zimmer frames, stair lifts, memory loss and mortality. It is the film about a 50-something woman starring an unknown teacher which captured the imagination of the jury and cinema-goers alike at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival earlier this year resulting in Paulina Garcia winning the coveted Best Actress award. […]