Action on social isolation and digital exclusion
The linkage between social connectedness and wellbeing is well established, and study after study – in the UK and overseas – has demonstrated the highly negative impacts on our physical and mental health that social isolation brings.
The pandemic highlighted the stark fact that many older people, especially those with underlying health or mobility problems, can spend long periods of time with little or no social contact: a recent YouGov survey confirmed that care workers (if they have them) are often the only people that their clients speak to for days at a time.
The closure of day centres and libraries, cuts in public transport, poverty, the loss of a partner, family and friends moving away… there can be any number of contributory factors. And many older people are becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of society by increasing digitisation of essential services and communications.
In this Action Area, we will be looking at the positive ways in which these issues can be addressed: sharing ideas, information, news and opinions on tackling the growing disconnect between millions of some of our most vulnerable citizens… and the rest of us.
Get involved
We plan to run surveys and focus groups on this, as well as publish comment, news and research. To contribute towards this work, do please email info@theageactionalliance.org
The Age Action Alliance is supported by
Latest News
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It’s be lonely this Christmas… for more than 2 million older people
New statistics from Age UK show just how difficult and lonely this Christmas will be for older people in the UK.
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“A significant milestone”: Age UK London responds to Mayor’s Age-friendly Action Plan
“The launch of the Mayor’s Action Plan for an age-friendly London is a significant milestone in the city’s age-friendly journey. We want it to have a tangible impact and we will be the first to question any failure in results on behalf of older Londoners.”
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5.8m aged 65+ either unable to use the internet easily or aren’t online at all
Alarming new analysis carried out by Age UK reveals that almost half (46%) of over-65s in the UK are unable to complete all eight of the most fundamental tasks required to use the internet safely and successfully.
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AI-driven community facilitator “Squiboon” amongst Design Age Institute’s newest Award Winners
Age Action Alliance members Design Age Institute at the Royal College of Art has announced the latest round of investment from their Pathfinder Innovation Programme, which invests in good design to help bring an array of products and services for the UK’s ageing population towards market.
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Loneliness in later life: research project aims to help identify the causes
Could YOU spare time to help researchers better understand the causes and challenges of loneliness? If so, do please read on!
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A week-long celebration of the impact of community transport
Between October 16 and 21st, 2023, communities across the UK will celebrate the vital role and inspiring work of Alliance members Community Transport (CT) in helping millions of people to stay independent, participate in their communities and access essential public services and employment.
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Older people struggling to pay for broadband at risk of further financial losses
Nearly half (48%) of older people in England on a low income have struggled to keep up with their broadband bill in the last six months, according to new research from the older people’s charity Independent Age – putting them at risk of further financial hardship and being digitally excluded.
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Webinar gives an introduction to creating an “Age-friendly Community”
Exactly what is an Age-friendly Community? What are the challenges and opportunities? And how do you go about creating one? Now is your chance to find out.
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Age UK launches new support programme for older LGBT+ veterans
Age UK launches new support programme for older LGBT+ veterans
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The digital divide: many older people struggling to access public services
Most local authorities now strongly encourage people to access services digitally and in some cases do not offer offline alternatives at all, or not in a way that makes them easy to find and access.
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Report from older people’s forum lays bare the impact of Covid – and looks ahead to the “new normal”
“Nobody understands the needs of the elderly until they are old themselves. Believe me.”
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Let’s talk: AI innovators looking for housing and care collaborators to build cohesive communities and combat isolation
If you’re intrigued about the opportunities for positive change that Artificial Intelligence could deliver, here’s an opportunity to be on board with an exciting new project funded by UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge.
Latest blogs & comments
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Now even digital natives struggle to navigate as apps take over
Many older people, as well as those from some other groups, risk being left behind by the relentless move towards a digital world, particularly when it comes to travel. Jenni Scott, Administrator at Leeds Older People’s Forum, maps out the problems – even for some younger people like herself.
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Call for action as shift to digital banking leaves older people feeling deserted
As more and more banks are being lost to the High Street, the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) is calling for action to prevent the continuing exclusion of older people, writes Jude Atkinson, along with the provision of dedicated community spaces to help older people regain control of their finances.
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Even MPs are despairing about the Government’s response to the nation’s growing digital divide
A Parliamentary report at the back end of June may have slipped your notice. It certainly went unmentioned in the majority of the UK media. The thrust is that, as the rest of the world moves increasingly online, a large swathe of our citizens are being left behind… way behind… and accuses the Government of…
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Public toilets closures: more than just an inconvenience…
All over the UK, public toilets are being closed in order to trim local authority spending. The resultant impact on older people can be significant by reducing their ability to visit town and city centres. But Age UK London is leading the fightback…
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Pride: an age friendly space? A blog written with some help (?) from Chat GPT!
Jessica Duffy, Good Practice Mentor at Leeds Older People’s Forum, has been reflecting upon the work of their LGBTQ+ delivery partner during the Ageing Better programme, and wondering what using Chat GPT can bring to the discussion…
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Why is being neighbourhood friendly being cast as “anti-car”?
Denigrating “low traffic neighbourhoods” in order to portray oneself as “pro car” and so standing up for the average person rather than committing the sin of being “woke”, is yet another example of the socially-divisive politics being played out at the moment that will see the most vulnerable being put at risk, writes Tony Watts…
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No country for older people…?
Am I imagining it, asks Tony Watts OBE, or are older people routinely and systematically being excluded and discriminated against?
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Sounds brilliant: tuning in to age friendly radio
If you’re not already an avid listener, you might want to tune into the great output of The Later Life Audio and Radio Cooperative (LLARC): an award-winning and growing network of older radio show hosts, age-friendly radio stations, voluntary and community sector organisations and academic researchers working on age-related issues.
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How many older people are about to lose their vote?
For reasons best known to the Government, new rules around voter ID will come into force at the May local elections. But where does that leave the two million voters ¬– many of them older people – who don’t have photographic ID? By Tony Watts OBE
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10 reasons to be an age and dementia friendly business
Leeds Older People’s Forum runs the city’s Age and Dementia Friendly business scheme, to which over 90 businesses in the city have already signed up. Here are there top ten reasons why every business should follow suit…in every town and city.
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Older People’s Advocacy Alliance delivers free resources to help older people speak up
AAA members the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance( OPAAL) have just published a series of free to download checklists, that will enable older people to better prepare for important conversations, and to speak up about their needs and wants.