Kindred Spirits looking to build on success of event at Nottingham Contemporary

Loneliness amongst older people in the UK is on the rise but organisations like Kindred Spirits are looking to improve social inclusion through regular events.

Figures from Age UK show that 27,000 older people in Nottinghamshire feel trapped in their own home proving that loneliness among the elderly is a big issue.

Kindred Spirits, part of Age UK Nottingham, ran a singing event at Nottingham Contemporary for people who live alone and the feedback has been brilliant.

Sarah Allen, Support and Activities Co-ordinator for the group, said that there is plenty more still to do to help older people maintain social contact.

“The Sing and Smile concert at the Nottingham Contemporary was a culmination of a number of months of hard work from groups across the city,” she said.

Singing

Image: The group taking part in the concert at the Nottingham Contemporary 

“We find that older people can be home alone for weeks without any other contact other than television and so we enable people to get out and about to make friends and enjoy activities in a social environment.”

With events such as the one at the Contemporary, Sarah knows continuing their association with Age UK is important to improving older peoples’ lives.

“The people who took part had an immense sense of pride and what they produced is something they can be proud of,” she said.

“Most of the members have made a lot of friendships in the group and we are hoping to carry that forward with more events.”

Video: Co-ordinator Sarah Allen talks of the importance of events for the elderly

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