What action has the Welsh Government been taking to tackle loneliness inequality in Wales, especially among older adults?
In February 2020, the Welsh Government published its first cross-government strategy to address loneliness and social isolation Connected Communities. This set out our vision for a connected Wales, where everyone has the opportunity to develop meaningful social relationships and where people are supported at those points in life when they are most vulnerable.
Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone at any age but older people are particularly vulnerable. Our 2022-23 National Survey for Wales indicated 51% of older people over 75 were sometimes lonely.
A key commitment in the strategy is the three-year £1.5m Connected Communities Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund, which supports frontline, local, grass-roots organisations, which bring people of all ages together, helping them to build social connections in and across communities.
Our Strategy for an Ageing Society adopts a rights-based approach to ageing well. By rejecting ageism and age discrimination, we aim to create a more equal society that enables people of all ages to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances. To support implementation, £1.1m a year is allocated to local authorities – £50,000 each – to fund a dedicated age friendly post. This is seeding the development of a broad range of community activity across Wales, developed and delivered in partnership with older people.
Supporting older people to volunteer and act as community champions can address inequality in loneliness by encouraging more people to build social networks and be supported to take part in groups or activities.
We also fund Age Cymru to engage with a diverse range of older people to ensure Welsh Government policy responds to the key issues that are affecting their daily lives. Through this collective effort, Wales has become part of a global movement towards improving policies and services for older people. We are now noted as an international example of good practice.