20% of those over 60 live alone in London, the Kings Fund
United Kingdom - Research suggests that by the year 2006, 20 percent over 60 years living alone - a figure that will rise in coming decades. This trend towards living alone has led to a growing number of older people feel lonely and isolated. David Hogarth and Elizabeth Travis became aware of these issues through his work with Neighbourcare - a small group of volunteers who provide friendship and social activities for older residents of St Johns Wood and Maida Vale. Consequently, the two agreed to establish a system called Check N Chat with funding from the Millennium Scholarship.The project aims to match pairs of older people in the community and allow them to support each other through regular telephone contact.The Millennium Awards scheme between 2001 and 2004, the Fund
King has worked in partnership with the grant funding the Millennium Commission, assistance and training to 255 people who provide better cooperation at European level for the health of Londoners. Each was given a maximum contribution of 2,000 Cash lottery funding, and participated in a 13-day Kings Fund leadership development program to develop skills in project management and networking. This is part of a series of case studies to examine how individuals living in London, Kings Fund have used Millennium Award Scheme to make a real difference to the health of other people in their communities.CONTINUESKings Fund, United Kingdom, PDF