McArthur welcomes new fund to tackle social isolation and loneliness

Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has welcomed the establishment of a new £1 million fund by the Scottish Government to provide warm spaces, hot meals, group activities and fuel payments to people most at risk of isolation including older people, young parents, carers and disabled people.

The new funding follows concerns raised by Age Scotland in their recent report 'Keeping The Doors Open' which outlined the pressures facing older people's community groups due to rising costs of venues and energy. The report also revealed that over 30 community groups within the membership of Age Scotland has closed since the start of the pandemic.

Mr McArthur led pressure on the government to adopt the key recommendations from Age Scotland's report, including the establishment a new national fund to recognise loneliness as a key public health issue. Orkney's MSP highlighted the pressures facing Age Scotland services in Orkney in December during an exchange with the Minister for Older People and Equalities and also gained cross-party support for Age Scotland's report through a parliamentary motion.

18 projects and organisations are due to receive a share of the new fund, including Age Scotland, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, Home-Start Scotland and the British Red Cross. In Orkney, Haey Hope Club, Flotta Day Club and the Orkney Men’s Shed are all due to benefit from the new funding.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said:

"While loneliness can affect anyone at any time, groups such as older people, carers and those with a disability are particularly vulnerable to social isolation. Unfortunately, the pandemic has had a serious impact on confidence and mobility amongst these groups which poses very real risks to their mental and physical health.

"Community groups such as lunch clubs and men's sheds are absolutely critical in efforts to tackling loneliness, but soaring inflation is making it increasingly difficult for their doors to be kept open as Age Scotland recently revealed. Coupled with Covid-related pressures placing increased demand on statutory services, it is clear we must do much more to protect these lifelines.

"In that context, I welcome the government's new funding to provide warm spaces, hot meals, group activities and fuel payments to people most at risk. This much needed funding is a step in the right direction towards recognising loneliness as a key public health issue. I'm particularly pleased that several projects in Orkney are set to benefit from the new fund which will make a tangible difference on the ground."