Mental Health Awareness Week
For Mental Health Awareness week, there is a focus on the impact that loneliness has on our mental health as well as the ways you can address it. One in four adults feel lonely for some or all the time. With many causes and many many solutions, we at Groundwork Greater Nottingham try to tackle this through the Smile Project.
The Smile project aims to reduce the negative effects of loneliness and isolation. It does this through supporting people in making community connections and friendships.
Loneliness is incredibly difficult to define, it is most commonly seen as a state of being alone, though you can have many people around you and still feel lonely therefore the Smile Project focuses on creating meaningful relationships. Having distinct connections and relationships can help individuals to feel fulfilled as they have an open and honest relationship in which they feel supportive and positive. This is what The Smile Project hopes to achieve.
Our fully trained volunteer befriender does this through contacting people weekly, whether this be to provide general advice, practical support or home visits, Groundwork GN is here to help. There is a particular focus encouraging people to access local community groups.
This focus on community groups encourages feelings of belonging, particularly among older adults (for which many of the people who use our service are). This sense of belonging helps to stimulate feelings of resilience as well as the ability to manage stress. A sense of belonging is a fundamental need and is often associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression
This is why the Smile Project excelled during the COVID-19 pandemic where multiple factors, such as social distancing, fear and many restrictions meant that individuals were prone to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Simon, who used our befriending service, mentioned that having an individual to talk to during lockdown made a massive impact on his well-being. He continues to benefit from this support, feeling less isolated and more able to cope with the challenges of the restrictions of the pandemic.
If you know anyone that could benefit from befriending, for more information visit: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/smile-project/ or please fill out this online form
The areas we cover are: Leen Valley, Aspley, Bilborough, Lenton & Wollaton, Basford, Berridge, Sherwood, Radford and Castle, Sherwood, and Bulwell. We might be able to offer telephone Befriending services to other areas too.
If you do feel as though you are lonely but do not want to have a befriender there are many other simple ways that can help to reduce negative feelings. Looking after yourself (this refers to getting enough sleep, having a healthy and balanced diet), trying not to compare yourself to others, or even strengthening your pre-existing relationships are all simple strategies that may help you overcome such feelings.
Aliya Hussain
Community Development Assistant
aliya.hussain@groundworknottingham.org.uk
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/smile-project/