Residents across Warwickshire are being encouraged to connect with local support, activities and services that can help them live well, stay connected and reduce feelings of loneliness.
There is a range of information, advice and community support available through Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Living Well webpages. These pages bring together information for those struggling with feelings of loneliness and social isolation with community support, health and wellbeing, support for carers, assistive technology and other services designed to help people stay independent and connected.
In addition, the council is encouraging residents to explore the Five ways to Wellbeing, to improve their mental health. The five ways are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. These have been devised as part of everyday actions and can help everyone feel more positive with their health and wellbeing.
Many of the activities and services highlighted through the Living Well webpages support these five approaches. Examples can be anything from joining a local group to connect with others, volunteering in the community, learning a new skill, getting active by getting involved with a sports club or a park walk or run, or simply taking time to appreciate the world around you. These small changes can have a lasting impact on wellbeing and helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Maintaining social connections is important for everyone's health and wellbeing, but it can be particularly valuable for people living with dementia, their families and carers. Dementia Connect provides practical and emotional support and signposts carers and families to a range of additional resources, including financial assessments, guidance on welfare benefits, and help to manage the costs associated with dementia care.
Warwickshire County Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Social Care and Health, said:
"Feeling connected to others plays a vital role in our health and wellbeing. We know that loneliness can affect anyone and can be particularly challenging for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
“We want residents to know that support is available and that no one needs to face these challenges alone and the Living Well website is a fantastic resource for finding practical ways to connect with others and access support services in Warwickshire.”
For more information about dementia support, tackling loneliness and other wellbeing services available in Warwickshire, visit the website and discover ways to connect, thrive and live well www.warwickshire.gov.uk/livingwell