Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (pictured at the Parliament with Liz Watson, the Chief Executive of Befriending Networks) is pleased to be able to highlight the Health and Loneliness Roadshow event, taking place at Inshes Church, Inverness, on Tuesday 26th of May between 12.30pm and 3pm.

The Health and Loneliness Roadshows will bring together health and social care professionals in a discussion of the impacts of loneliness on health and, by consequence, on health and social care services. This two-hour lunchtime workshop will also allow participants to explore the measures which, working in partnership with the voluntary sector; they can adopt to address it within their professional spheres of influence. Representatives of local befriending services will showcase their own work on health and loneliness and there will be a networking half hour at the end of the workshop to enjoy a cup of tea of coffee, get to know more about these services and the potential offered by befriending for enhancing the quality of support available to vulnerable and isolated people within their health board area.

Mr Thompson said, “It was great to meet the Chief Executive of Befriending Networks, Liz Watson, at a recent Befriending Parliament event, where I found out about the Health and Loneliness Roadshow event taking place at Inshes Church, Inverness, on Tuesday 26th of May between 12.30pm and 3pm.

“Loneliness is proven to have detrimental effects on health. Events like this act as an important preventative measure by sharing ideas about how the health of lonely individuals can be maintained and how lonely individuals can get the best access to health and social care, which is why I would encourage interested members of the public and in particular, local health professionals to attend”.

Liz Watson, CEO of Befriending Networks said, “From our point of view, we have been arguing for many years that loneliness has both a direct and indirect negative impact on health and that tackling loneliness would not only be a powerful preventative step in terms of individual health outcomes, it would also have a tangible impact on the use of health and social care services.

“Recent research into the links between health and loneliness, and the growing awareness of loneliness as a widespread (and increasing) issue in our communities, has allowed us to secure funding to take this learning on the road and out to health and social care professionals in every health board area of Scotland”.

Some quotes from health and social care professionals who have already completed the course below:

West Lothian Participant said, "One of the most productive two and a half hours I have ever spent".

Ayrshire and Arran participant said it was an "extremely positive learning experience which I will always be aware of during my practice".

A Forth valley participant said, "Loads of information packed into a short time and delivered in a relaxed and interesting way. Very useful both for our practice and our policy work".

Event Details:

Health and Loneliness Roadshow (Highland) Tuesday 26th May 2015 12.30pm - 3pm Inshes Church, Inshes Retail Park, Sir Walter Scott Drive, Inverness, IV2 3TW.

If you would like to book a place on this course, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Website:

http://www.befriending.co.uk/health-loneliness-roadshows_more.php?id=432

The roadshow is free to attend.