Building Connections in Norfolk Report 2024

Civil Society Consulting CIC, Community Action Norfolk and Norfolk County Council delivered Capacity Building workshops to 35 grassroots voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and statutory professionals in Norfolk. Age UK Norfolk was delighted to be part of the workshops and over two half-mornings, participants deepened their expertise and fostered a shared understanding of loneliness, whilst building lasting relationships.

Through the workshops, participants co-produced a Norfolk-wide strategic approach to tackling loneliness. The below report summarises key findings and notable conclusions that emerged from discussions and presents a shared vision for Norfolk.

The report outlines some key areas including the causes of loneliness (the pandemic, poor transport links, digitalisation etc) the challenges and obstacles in reducing loneliness in Norfolk (social division, housing costs, late identification of loneliness, funding etc) and opportunities and strengths (nature-based activities, building connections through the workplace, volunteering etc).

Based on what came out of the workshop discussions, Civil Society Consulting drafted up an area-wide loneliness strategic approach for tackling loneliness in Norfolk, which has subsequently been reviewed collaboratively by participants.

Age UK Norfolk are excited to be part of these discussions / future plans and learning how our companionship services (Befriending, Travelling Companionship) can continue to play a role in reducing loneliness for older people in Norfolk.