Innovation Fund announced for projects to tackle loneliness in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council have announced a £1m fund that will contribute towards innovative projects to reduce loneliness in the community.

Recognising the potential of such projects to work alongside health and social care integration, the Innovation Fund will be used for a wide range of purposes which include: visual and performing arts workshops; pop-up community cafes; counselling services; physical fitness workshops; and volunteer schemes to help older people stay warm over the winter months.

In particular the council wants to impact on the lives of isolated older people, especially those diagnosed with dementia, as well as supporting adults with a history of substance abuse.

Executive member for public health and provision, councillor Don MacKenzie, comments: “The council is using this investment as a key part of its wider drive to help people to maintain their independence, and to encourage local communities to care for their residents.”

He continues: “North Yorkshire is home to an increasingly elderly population, for whom isolation is becoming a reality. As an authority, we are all too aware of the effects of loneliness on health and social care, and that overcoming isolation represents a major challenge across a rural county with sparse populations.

“We also wish to bring about a reduction in the number of falls suffered by our residents, because these so often lead people to become fearful and to withdraw from social activity. For these reasons, I welcome this next round of targeted investments by the Innovation Fund.”

Sue Vasey, chief executive of Your Consortium, also comments: “We are really excited to be offering the voluntary and community sector funding support to develop approaches to the challenges faced in communities across North Yorkshire. Our experience working with voluntary and community partners over the last seven years has shown that the sector is well able to deliver targeted, cost-effective work and to find innovative approaches to project and partnership working.

“It was great to see so many quality applications and innovative thinking. We are a passionate supporter of the voluntary and community sector and the range of exciting solutions proposed by partners to address profound challenges is testament to the sector's innovative and creative thinking.”