9 – 15th June 2025
The theme for this years event is “Meeting Loneliness Together” which is about reducing the stigma surrounded by this natural, human emotion. We want to reassure you that it is okay to speak out about feeling lonely and would like to help provide steps on how this can be achieved and what we, as a company, are doing to ensure our staff and service users feel less lonely.
The effects of loneliness
While many associate loneliness with having effects on a person’s mental health and well-being, there are many negative effects that it can have on your physical health also.
Studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation can be a factor in heart disease, increased blood pressure, strokes, coronary heart disease and degenerative brain diseases (cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s). The mental effects that loneliness causes can include stress, depression, anxiety and disrupted sleep.
How we help our care staff
We understand that it can be difficult, providing care for different people all day who may be isolated, to then finish your care calls for the day and go home and feel isolated yourself. Therefore, we would like to remind you of what we have available to give you the opportunity to connect with your colleagues and open up about how you’re feeling, if you feel comfortable.
Team Meetings
We host regular team meetings throughout our branches. While these may be work related, they also give us a chance to connect with colleagues that cover the same areas as us and therefore maybe live near us, if you ever wanted to see each other outside of work. Because team meetings are more relaxed, it means you can casually talk to the people around you and will also give you that opportunity to open up about how you’re feeling so we are able to provide you with extra support.
Our offices
Care staff are always welcome to visit our local offices, even if you don’t necessarily need something, you are always welcome to pop along for a cup of tea and a chat. Maybe you’re picking up PPE and decide to stay for a little longer, we don’t mind, and we encourage our staff to do so! This could also give you the chance to meet new people from different departments that you may have not worked with before.
Our Mental Health First Aiders
If you feel that loneliness is having a severe effect on your mental well-being, our Mental Health Lead, Carol Jackson is always available to speak to and is there to support anyone who needs it, even if all you need is a small chat every now and then. To contact Carol please email carol.jackson@dalecare.co.uk or call 07751 828989.
Our Employee Assistance Programme
TELUS Health is available for all our staff and provides a 24/7 phoneline and live chat for those who are struggling mentally and wish to speak to a professional, all of which is completely anonymous. TELUS also provides a range of podcasts and blogs which can provide you with advice on all aspects of life including finance, health and well-being, work, family and more!
How we support our service users
Our care staff
Our care workers are the backbone of our company and without them, we wouldn’t be able to support and provide such high-quality care to all our service users who need that extra support to live as independently as possible. A high percentage of our service users are socially isolated and therefore the only interaction they have during the day is from their care calls. Thanks to our carers, we can support our service users both mentally and physically, ensuring they feel less lonely.
Our offices
For the service users who are more mobile, don’t feel shy to pop by our office for a tea or coffee. This could give you the opportunity to speak to some of our coordinators who you may have spoken to on the phone but never met before!
Royal Voluntary Service
Our charity partner, RVS, provide a range of social activities targeted for the elderly. They host activities both in person and online, meaning they are available for anyone who wants to join and can give you the chance to meet new people and possible pick up a new hobby.
To find out more about what the RVS have available, visit their website: https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/social-activities/
Please remember we are always available to contact if you are feeling lonely, we do not want your physical or mental health suffering and are here to support you. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to us, reach out to a loved one or a close friend, we do not want you to suffer alone.
24-hour Support Helplines
Derbyshire – 0800 028 0077
Sheffield -0808 196 8281
NHS Health Crisis 111 (Option 2)
