Team v Harrow to tackle loneliness (From Harrow Times)

Team v Harrow to tackle loneliness across older generation

12:23pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A new volunteering campaign launched in Harrow will aim to tackle loneliness across the older generation.

The campaign, called Bridge the Gap, was launched on January 30 to help older people who are suffering from the effects of isolation.

The campaign is run by Team v Harrow, a youth volunteering scheme.

Patrick Mahaffey, leader of Team v Harrow, said the campaign would help to raise awareness about loneliness and isolation.

He said: “Half a million older people say the TV is their best friend and 50 per cent of older people consider themselves to be always lonely, so it’s really important to highlight these issues and do something about them.

“I really hope this campaign can make a difference in alleviating loneliness and isolation, to raise awareness about these problems and to try to change the lives of the older generation for the better.”

The team of volunteers will distribute leaflets raising awareness about their campaign across Harrow and hold focus group meetings to focus on some of the issues older people face.

The team will also engage older people in their communities and work together to identify ways to tackle loneliness and isolation.