News

Research shows men are more lonely than women

25th March 2018

GPs nationwide are seeing up to 10 patients a day who are simply lonely – and men are feeling more isolated than women.

Men are more at risk of isolation because research shows they make friends less easily than women and don’t take part in as many social activities or community groups. More than one in 10 men are lonely but would not admit it. The Big Lottery Fund awarded £6m to Sheffield to reduce loneliness and social isolation in people aged 50 plus and Age Better in Sheffield was launched. Ruby Smith, head of co-design and improvement at South Yorkshire Housing Association, said: “We had some fantastic conversations with people across Sheffield and done some amazing work. In particular we’ve engaged especially well with women. One of our challenges over the next three years will be to engage with men more. “Our conversations with men have suggested that men are less likely to socialise for the sake of socialising and would rather have another reason for going out and meeting other people.”

A few Age UK organisations across the UK have done Men in Sheds projects where the purpose of getting together is to fix things, rather than to socialise – socialising is a by-product rather than a purpose. Age Better in Sheffield has already commissioned a range of services to reduce loneliness and isolation. Sheffield Mind uses qualified counsellors to work with people who are experiencing isolation to such an extent that they feel unable to leave their home. Here at VAS we work with people who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation after major life changes such as bereavement and retirement. And Ignite Imaginations supports people to set up groups or activities – they helped an over 60s taekwondo group find a venue and funding.

Ruby added: “We can’t say for sure what the next three years will hold; the city-wide engagement work we are currently doing will shape that future – that’s the only way we’ll make sure we’re offering the right support to the people of Sheffield. “The things we do know about the next three years is that we will want to focus on the legacy and sustainability of the programme and create change that can live on beyond the funding we’ve got from the Big Lottery.

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