Abstract
Loneliness is considered a global public health issue because of its detrimental impact on physical and mental health but little is known about which interventions can reduce loneliness. One potential intervention is social prescribing, where a link worker helps service-users to access appropriate support such as community activities and social groups. Some qualitative studies have identified that social prescribing may help to reduce service-users' loneliness. Given this, the British Red Cross (a third sector organisation) developed and delivered a national social prescribing service in the United Kingdom to support people who were experiencing, or at risk of, loneliness. Service-users could receive up to 12weeks of support from a link worker. A mixed methods study was conducted to understand the impact of the support on loneliness, and to identify the facilitators and barriers to service delivery. The study included: (a) analysis of quantitative data collected routinely between May 2017 and December 2019 (n=10,643) including pre-post analysis of UCLA data (n=2,250) and matched comparator work to measure changes in loneliness; (b) semi-structured interviews with service-users, link workers and volunteers (n=60) and (c) a Social Return on Investment Analysis. The majority of the service-users (72.6%, n=1634/2250) felt less lonely after receiving support. The mean change in UCLA score was -1.84 (95% CI -1.91 to -1.77) of a maximum change of 6.00 (decrease indicates an improvement). Additional benefits included improved wellbeing, increased confidence and life having more purpose. The base case analysis estimated a social return on investment of £3.42 per £1 invested in the service. Having skilled link workers and support tailored to individual needs appeared key. However, challenges included utilising volunteers, meeting some service-users' needs in relation to signposting and sustaining improvements in loneliness. Nonetheless, the service appeared successful in supporting service-users experiencing loneliness.
Highlights
Introduction to qualitative research methodsA guidebook and resource rd ed John Wi ey Sons IncTennant R Hi er L Fishwick R P att S Joseph S Weich SParkinson J Secker J Stewart Brown J The WarwickEdinburgh menta we being sca e WEMWBS Deve opment and UK va idation Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 5 https doi org Trotter LRa ings Adams M KValuing improvements in mental health: Applying the wellbeing valuation method to WEMWBS HACTVa torta N K Kanaan M Gi body S Ronzi S Hanratty BLone iness and socia iso ation as risk factors for coronary heart dis ease and stroke Systematic review and meta ana ysis of ongitudina observationa studies Heart (British Cardiac Society) 102 https doi org heartjn
The SWEMWBS was co ected through a sma number of ink workers administering the measure with ser exp oring whether other parts of the eva uation he ped to further vice users pre and post support during understand the finding O Cathain et a and n =
Approached to be re interviewed three to six months fo owing their mobi ity issues n =. First interview They were se ected based on experiences identified record further detai about the nature of hea th issues in the first interview and the
Summary
Fe t ess one y after receiving support The mean change in UCLA score was CI to of a maximum change of decrease indicates an improvement
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
