Agenda item

Report ACH22-008

The report presented provided an update on the delivery of the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan which was approved in November 2021 and launched at the end of 2021. At that time Members were advised that an Action Plan would be brought to the Adult Care and Health PDS in March 2022 with evidence of progress made in order not to delay delivery.

The Strategy Officer advised that the action plan, which was a four-year living document, had been populated to reflect the work being undertaken by the Council and its partners relating to the three key priorities:

-  Priority One: organisation and services.

-  Priority Two: community infrastructure that empowers social connections.

-  Priority Three: building a culture that encourages strong social relationships.

The Strategy Officer noted that accessing information about local community groups, activities and support services for loneliness had always been an issue. To help address this, Community Links Bromley had been funded to update their Simply Connect e-directory resource to hold information about local groups, activities and support services which could be accessed by all. Work would also continue to produce the Adult Care Services Directory and Children’s Early Help Directory, for which consultation feedback had highlighted the need for printed and digital materials.

Another action would be to look at the physical resources available across the borough, including consideration being given to maximise the usage of the Mottingham Community and Learning Shop and the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre as community resources. It was noted that the Council’s Guide to Accessible Transport was currently being updated and libraries were working hard to re-establish programmes of activities.

The Strategy Officer advised that a communications campaign was being developed to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of loneliness and in June, a month-long campaign around Loneliness Awareness Week would be carried through social media. A mapping exercise was also underway to give an understanding of access to activities across the borough and identify any gaps in provision or coverage.

Councillor Cuthbert emphasised that the action plan was an important tool to monitor the objectives of the strategy, and she expressed her thanks to the Assistant Director for Strategy, Performance and Corporate Transformation and the Strategy Officer for their work in relation to this. Thanks were also extended to Members for their assistance in publicising the strategy. It was highlighted that the number of organisations listed on the Simply Connect e-directory had increased from 80 to 177, with a total of 382 activities. Members were encouraged to view the e-directory and advise if they were aware of any other organisations that were not already included.

In response to a question from a Co-opted Member, Councillor Cuthbert said that the objectives of the strategy were currently included in the action plan. Officers had undertaken research of what was already in place and new actions would come out of other requirements identified – for example, if it was felt that a requirement could not be met, consideration could be given to commissioning services. The Strategy Officer noted that other sections of the Council were also looking at their services and how they could help towards tackling loneliness in borough. As the strategy was promoted, further work would be identified, and a meeting would be taking place with Mytime Active to discuss any programmes that could be taken forward.

With regards to suggestions made by a Member, Councillor Cuthbert agreed that Resident Associations were key community hubs, and it was important to get them involved in this work. It was noted that Clarion Housing were running a scheme promoting intergenerational living whereby residents could open up their homes and offer a spare room to young people, and the Tackling Loneliness Strategy had been promoted in their newsletter. It was highlighted that the strategy spanned all age ranges – Bromley Youth Council had been represented at the stakeholder group when the document was being developed, and any initiatives they had would be a welcome addition to the action plan.

The Chairman congratulated Councillor Cuthbert and officers for the work undertaken to produce the Tackling Loneliness Strategy and Action Plan.

RESOLVED that progress in delivering the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026 be noted.