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Loneliness Awareness Week (12th - 18th June) is an annual campaign by Marmalade Trust, dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness.
This year's theme is Connection Matters so we thought we'd highlight some of the ways libraries can help you make connections.
Loneliness is a major public health issue and affects over 9 million people in the UK.
It can affect our physical and mental health, and long term loneliness is associated with unhealthy lifestyles and cognitive decline. Health services now offer social prescribing to people who are lonely or isolated.
Life events such as becoming a parent, children leaving home, going to university, bereavement, divorce, moving to a new area, changing or losing your job, can lead to loneliness. Illness, ageing, caring responsibilities, and disabilities can also lead to isolation and loneliness.
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Libraries hold lots of regular social activities where you can make new friends. These vary by library, and include reading, writing, arts and crafts, games, coffee mornings, and language groups. We have Rhymetime, Stories and Songs, and Baby Bounce for parents with young children. There are LEGO, games and book clubs and Mini Makers for older children.
Jean attends Games Club, Crafternoon, and Knit and Knatter at Crewe Library, and says: "so much is going on... for people to come and meet each other because it takes away the loneliness. We need this because there is nothing in and around (town).”
Sue also attends Games Club, Crafternoon, and Knit and Knatter: “I love coming to Crewe Library to join in with craft/games/knitting groups – the activities are fun, good for mental health and companionship.”
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Connecting with friends and family online is a great way to keep in touch. If you would like to learn more about social media or how to make video calls, then get in touch with your local library to ask about free computer lessons with a friendly IT Buddy.
If you are regularly working or studying at home why not make the most of our free WiFi and enjoy a change of scenery whilst working in the company of others? Most libraries have toilets and even coffee machines too.
We provide free access to Learn My Way, where you can learn digital skills from online basics to finding a job, shopping online, and online safety. You can learn at your own pace, or join one of our friendly groups:
- Susan from Crewe: “I have been coming for 6 years and enjoy the company and learning.”
- Wendy from Crewe: “The IT course is a great way to meet new people at the same time as learning new skills.”
As UK Online Centres, we've been gifting free SIM cards to dozens of digitally excluded people to help them get connected with data, texts and calls through the National Databank Scheme.
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Home Library Service volunteers deliver books to people who cannot visit the library.
The service is also affectionately known as Books on Wheels.
Mrs B: “Thank you so much for all the lovely books you have supplied me with over the last few years….Thank you to all the volunteers who deliver the books to those who find it difficult to get out. They, and you, have been a lifeline.”
Ms S: “To all the staff and volunteers involved in your Books on Wheels service. Thank you so much for keeping me stocked up with so many great books. You truly are a lifeline. The one pleasure in an ocean of pain – that’s what reading is for me. An escape from all the bad stuff of daily life. You guys give me that and it is so precious.”
Mrs W: “I have many sleepless nights and my favourite bits of my favourite books help to distract me until I fall asleep for a couple of hours… So you see what a lifeline you provide me with. Many, many thanks!”
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The Mobile Library lives in a garage at Alsager Library and visits our rural villages on a three week cycle. If you'd like more information about the service, contact Alsager Library.
Give us a wave if you see us on the road!
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Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet new people and learn their stories. You can make friends and establish new relationships as a result of spending more time around people. Volunteering can also provide an opportunity to develop your job prospects, or act as a stepping stone back into work.
There are a variety of opportunities to volunteer with Cheshire East Libraries, depending on your interests and your availability. For instance, you could help us deliver events and activities, or become an IT Buddy or Home Library Service volunteer. Click on the link below to view the different types of opportunities and contact your local library for more information about the volunteer openings they currently have.
Libraries also host conversation groups in a variety of languages, craft workshops, and writing groups led by volunteers. If you have a skill you could share on a regular basis, speak to the library manager.
There is a misconception that loneliness is primarily experienced by older people. However, the latest ONS data shows that those aged between 16-29 are more than twice as likely to report feeling lonely often or always than the over 70s.
Anyone over the age of 13 can volunteer to be part of the Summer Reading Challenge at their local library. Volunteering for the Summer Reading Challenge gives volunteers the chance to learn new skills and share their love of reading with children.
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Reading is great for reducing social isolation and alleviating feelings of loneliness.
Research from Demos and The Reading Agency suggests listening to an audiobook is just as beneficial as reading a print book. The library has a range of audiobooks in CD format, or eAudiobooks can be accessed through the BorrowBox app – all you have to do is sign into your library account to access a range of eAudiobooks and eBooks.
Some libraries host their own reading groups and book clubs, and we can provide support for new reading groups just starting out, for groups looking for new members, and for groups with special requirements, such as large print or audio versions of books. Reading groups can subscribe to the Reading Group Collection for an annual fee.
We've put together a booklist on Loneliness, including non-fiction titles about alleviating loneliness and improving mental wellbeing, and fiction titles around community and togetherness.
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Help for refugees and speakers of other languages
The library is a safe, welcoming, and free space where people can come for information or just to spend time around other people. We provide information on local services and help with finding and printing official forms, and our social groups are a great way to meet people and find out about the area.
We have books written in other languages, ESOL textbooks and other language learning material. Individuals and small groups find the free access to our computers and WiFi is great for studying for UK qualifications or taking ESOL courses online.
Libraries have provided toiletries, school bags, bus passes, Winter Warmer supplies, and SIM cards to refugees who have recently arrived in Cheshire East.
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You can connect with your favourite library by following them on Facebook so you’ll always know about upcoming events and what the library team are currently reading!
We have a Twitter account for libraries - @CECLibraries - for news about events and services.
Did you know we also have a YouTube channel? You’ll find brilliant book recommendations and tutorials, as well as Rhymetimes, Storytimes and fun activities to entertain the little ones on a rainy day.
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We hope to see you soon!
We always welcome feedback about our services. If you have enjoyed this newsletter or have any suggestions for improvement, please send us an email to libraries@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk.
Alternatively pop into your local library and let the staff know. Thank you.
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