Why do social networks and community matter?

Please note: this post is 113 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

Our objective, through our Social Clubs and Love Your Neighbour project, is to improve wellbeing, confidence, resilience, skills and connection so that people can feel valued, vibrant and visible in a rapidly-changing and often anonymous modern city.

We also want to reduce the gaps across social and generational divides – gaps which are growing as a result of globalisation, gentrification, the housing bubble, migration and digitisation.

In addition to those intentions, North London Cares' number one priority, and that of our sister charity South London Cares, is to reduce loneliness amongst older people (and younger people alike).

As our population ages, and the mechanisms that have historically provided dignity and security for people in later life – pensions, welfare, community – are ever-more uncertain, we need new, people-led solutions.

We need active, vibrant communities of people who know one another, trust one another and who can not just call on one another in difficult times, but enjoy company and companionship in the happy moments too.

Sadly, research shows us that these networks do not exist for everyone, particularly in big cities – and that this isolation from the world around us is placing a huge strain on the resources of the NHS, as well as our communities. For example:

• People who live alone are 5 times more likely to visit the GP* "most of the time/often" than those who live with others (67% of older neighbours in North London Cares' network live alone);
• People who rent their homes are 4 times more likely to visit the GP "most of the time/often" than those who live in owner-occupied homes (59% of older neighbours participating in NLC's network live in rented social housing).
• People in their 60s are more than twice as likely to visit the GP "most of the time/often" as people in their 40s (all of NLC's older neighbours are over 60; 51% are over 80);
• Those who feel lonely "most of the time/often" visit the GP more than twice as frequently as those who feel lonely "occasionally or seldom/never " (81% of older neighbours in NLC's network feel better connected to others as a result of their interactions with NLC volunteers and other neighbours).
• Meanwhile, two-thirds of all hospital admissions are of people over 65 (BBC) - and one in ten people seen by a GP attended the surgery mainly because they are lonely (Campaign to End Loneliness).
• And it's shown that patients with well-developed social networks consult GPs less frequently. "Those who are widowed or divorced also tend to consult more frequently which could be a result of fewer social support networks."

Our mission with North London Cares is to make better-connected communities in a rapidly-changing city – to tackle isolation and loneliness, and to improve people's lives by building a community network of younger and older neighbours hanging out and helping one another.

If you'd like to be part of the network in Camden and Islington, please sign up using the form at the bottom of this page.

(All GP stats above from Ellaway, Wood, Macintyre).