Public Health Profiles

Social connections and community assets

The following selected resources can be used to support development of age-friendly communities and improve opportunities for social connections and contributions. Includes specific sections on: addressing loneliness; volunteering; creative, cultural and sport activities; adult education; and links to other relevant sections.

General

Connected communities - Programmes & Latest research published by the Centre for Ageing Better
UK Network of Age-friendly Communities published by the Centre for Ageing Better
Global Age-Friendly Cities Project published by the World Health Organisation
Age-friendly places published by Age UK
Community-centred practice: applying All Our Health published by Public Health England
Community-centred and asset-based approaches published by Public Health England
Communities published by the Local Government Association
From Generation 2 Generation - "Innovative local solutions for both young and old - Bringing them together to support and inspire each other"
Community Safety published by the Local Government Association
English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (ELSA) - data extract facility and access to research findings
Community Life Survey - findings from the England household survey published by the Cabinet Office
Community Life Survey - data extract facility provided by the UK Data Service
Understanding Society - UK Household Longitudinal Study - data extract facility and access to research findings
Measuring national wellbeing: domains and measures - national level data published by the Office for National Statistics
Guidance: Health matters: community-centred health and wellbeing approaches (2018) published by Public Health England
25 Year Environment Plan (2018) - including the target "high quality, accessible, natural spaces close to where people live and work" published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Spatial Planning for Health - An evidence resource for planning and designing healthier places (2017) published by Public Health England
Health and wellbeing in rural areas (2017) published bt the Local Government Association and Public Health England

Addressing Loneliness

Loneliness Annual Report: the first year (2020) - a cross-government publication
A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness (2018) - a cross-government initiative
Loneliness - What characteristics and circumstances are associated with feeling lonely? (2018) published by the Office for National Statistics
Local action on health inequalities: reducing social isolation (2015) - guidance published by Public Health England and UCL Institute of Health Equity
Loneliness published by Age UK
Campaign to End Loneliness
Action on Loneliness published by the British Red Cross
Let's Talk Loneliness Campaign
The Silverline
UK Men's Sheds Association
The Chatty Café Scheme
The UK Network for Shared Lives and Homeshare - promoting and supporting 'Shared Lives carers' and 'Homeshare UK'
The Loneliness Lab - an 18-month project to accelerate action towards making London a less lonely city to live in

Volunteering

Age-friendly and inclusive volunteering published by the Centre for Ageing Better
Primary research into community contributions in later life (2018) published by the Centre for Ageing Better
Age-friendly and inclusive volunteering: Review of community contributions in later life (2018) published by the Centre for Ageing Better
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Royal Voluntary Service

Creative, cultural and sports activities

Cultural, Health & Wellbeing Alliance - a sector support organisation for the cultural sector funded by Arts Council England
Active Ageing published by Sport England
Active Lives surveys - published by Sport England - includes local authority level data
CultureCase - a collation of research to support the case for culture and to support planning published by King's College London
Making music - includes a search facility for leisure music groups and resources to support the case for leisure-time music
WHO Health Evidence Network synthesis report 67: What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review (2019) published by the World Health Organisation
Changing Lives: the social impact of participation in culture and sports (2019) published by House of Commons - Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Creative and Cultural Activities and Wellbeing in Later Life (2018) published by Age UK
Older People - Culture and Sport Outcome Framework (2012) published by the Local Government Association

Adult education

Classes and courses published by Age UK
National Adult Education Stakeholder Groups
University of the Third Age

See also

Productive Healthy Ageing Profile

Social connections and community assets

More public health profiles

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