Group items tagged

"The erosion of social capital, and increasing levels of social isolation are widely recognised phenomena in our society. Older people are particularly likely to admit to feeling lonely, and social isolation is known to have a significant impact on older people's physical and mental wellbeing. Many older people particularly value local services that provide them with opportunities for regular social contact. However, we are currently witnessing a significant decline in many of these local services such as libraries, post offices and lunch clubs. More than 2,500 post offices have closed and 5,000 small shops have disappeared in the past six years. At the same time, many statutory and third sector services are currently under threat from local authority budgetary cuts. The private sector could do much to provide non-specialised local settings and opportunities for older people to remain connected with their communities. However, thus far there has been little investigation into how private companies might contribute to social cohesion in this way. This project will identify ways that private companies can make use of their local presence and existing operating models to generate new social opportunities for older people."

"Someone tell us something we don't know. Like, how are we going to get the less digitally confident, and the people who'd like to go online but who are still trepidacious, whizzing around the net with panache and aplomb, saving money, having choice, wielding civic powers, keeping mentally alert, feeling less lonely and isolated? That seems to me to be, still (and with the advent of universal credit which will only be delivered online, increasingly so) the most pressing question. And not least because unless it can be achieved, the fabled and miraculous cost saving efficiencies that online promises a heavily indebted government are but (non digital) pie in the sky."

"I would like to introduce you to just a few examples of exciting and cost effective innovations which could be promoted by local authorities. Many more example are included in my forthcoming eBook "The Click Guide to Digital Technology for Care""

"Independent Age, the charity that provides lifelong support to older people in need, has pledged to get older people online and help them stay there, enabling them to reap the benefits of improved links to the wider community."

As part of its ongoing open consultation, Nominet Trust brought together a group of experts this past week to think about how technology might be used to realise new opportunities - and address the persistent challenges such as social isolation, access to adequate care and pensioner poverty - facing people in later life. We weren't looking at how adding digital might make existing services more cost-effective or efficient; nor were we seeking specific solutions. Instead we were hoping to define some areas that would benefit from social innovation with technology.

"Using classifications that show sparse areas of England, some topics, such as incomes and qualifications, show 'two countrysides' - a better off, less sparse and more accessible one, and a less populous and isolated sparse countryside. Patterns within urban areas often differ, with the most urban areas of England frequently showing different trends from those in other places, and the widest variations."

"AN ARMY of internet-savvy pensioners should be employed to help get millions of elderly people online to prevent them becoming increasingly isolated, an influential Tory think tank has suggested." The report is from Policy Exchange

"This web site is designed to be a supportive online community for the over 60s to keep in touch. Its focus is on interaction - with family, friends, each other and through interest groups. This website is easy-to-use and members want to be part of a 'virtual' friendly, caring and supportive community."

"The Campaign to End Loneliness is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together through research, policy, campaigning and innovation to combat loneliness and inspire individuals to keep connected in older age in the UK."