Council partners with GVS and Age Connects to tackle loneliness and social isolation

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is working with Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS) and Age Connects to help tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation.

A new grant fund for projects that address these problems has been launched, while an accessible hub will be established in Llantwit Major to act as a point of contact for isolated older people.

Administered by the Council and GVS, the Welsh Government Connected Communities Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund is aimed at community voluntary projects that bring people together and help them build social connections.

Open until noon on February 18, organisations can apply for a maximum of £2,000, with no minimum amount.

In addition, Age Connects will relocate to establish a local community hub based at Illtud House in Llantwit Major, where some GVS services are already based.

The hub is designed to help older people in the Western Vale feel happier, healthier and less lonely by connecting them with their community, support services and social activities.

Illtud House will be upgraded to ensure it is age friendly and accessible for the community.

There, service users can access information about social and leisure activities and the support to participate in them.

Cllr Ben Gray, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet member for Social Care and Health, said: “Feelings of loneliness and isolation are a huge problem in our society, particularly among older people, and a problem that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic when many were cut off from family and friends.

Rachel Connor, Chief Executive of Glamorgan Voluntary Services, said: “GVS is pleased to be at the heart of the community in the Western Vale of Glamorgan working in partnership with Age Connects to address loneliness and isolation. The new hub for older people in Illtud House will expand the services already on offer and the small grants scheme that we are administering will help small local grass roots organisations who are working diligently to relieve loneliness and isolation.”

Jeff Hawkins, Chief Executive Office of Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale, said: “We have all worked hard, in partnership, to deliver the best services we could during a challenging and unprecedented period. We are delighted we can build on this work to create opportunities so that older people can feel valued, supported so they can live fulfilled lives."