New loneliness service is making waves in Doncaster

Rural Action Yorkshire’s Doncaster Community Agents connect older people to services, ensuring they feel part of the community.

Since its launch earlier this year, it has started a ladies swimming group and helped vulnerable people to take part in activities they may not have known were available.

It is aimed primarily at people over the age of 65, who may be at risk of isolation, loneliness, and mental or physical health problems, and sees two ‘agents’ identify the most vulnerable and excluded in their local area, and make attempts to offer any support or help that is available for them.

The swimming group began after Intake resident Lisa Smith, who had become isolated and felt “cut-off” from the world, was helped to link with another woman by community agent Jan Milner. Both women were keen to increase their fitness levels.

Ms Milner, a former England women’s footballer, helps the women attend sessions at Rossington Leisure Centre together, and their group has since grown to nine members.

The women have developed a strong bond and complete other social activities together outside of the Community Agent project. Eventually, the women will continue with an independant group.

The plan is for Jan to support the sessions until the ladies feel confident enough to continue as their own independent group. They have already developed a strong bond and begun completing other social activities together Ms Smith said Ms Milner was vital in linking people together, locating resources and building confidence.

She said: “Jan is the best teacher and confidence builder ever. Thanks to her patient instruction, support and fun approach I have found a new lease of life which has beneficial effects on my health both physical and mental. “I never thought I would use the inside of a leisure centre or swimming pool again and would only have had my memories to sustain me.”

The community agent scheme operates across Intake, Braithwell, Old Edlington, Micklebring and Stainton.

Anyone wishing to be involved or benefit from the project can contact Wayne Munro-Smith of RAY at 0845 313 0270.

The Yorkshire Post is campaigning for loneliness to be universally recognised as a health priority. In February, we revealed that nine of the region’s health and wellbeing boards failed to give significant mention of loneliness and social isolation in their strategies. Four have since pledged action, but five, including Doncaster, have not yet made a firm commitment to tackle the issue.