5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services: The Loneliness and Isolation Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:31 pm on 11 February 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Julie Morgan Julie Morgan Labour 4:31, 11 February 2020

I thank Joyce Watson for those very helpful comments. Again, she emphasised 16 to 24-year-olds, which I think is a crucial area. Obviously, some of those young people will still be in school and so I think it is very important that we continue our work in terms of mental health on the whole-school approach, and that is something that the Government is following up with the task and finish group. As I said in my response to Rhun ap Iorwerth, the work with training colleges and education is crucial. 

She mentioned volunteering, and I think that is an area that we've certainly identified as somewhere people can lose the feeling of isolation and loneliness as well as making a huge contribution to society. So, the Government does fund the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to encourage and train volunteers and to provide expertise on this subject. Certainly, volunteering is an area that I do see as crucial as a way forward. 

Joyce Watson also mentioned rural areas, and I think that that is an important point, because I think that research that has been done into loneliness and isolation in rural areas, as compared to city areas, has shown very little difference, but what we do know is, of course, in rural areas is the connectedness, which I've already mentioned—how important it is to have the transport available. So, there is that particular issue in the rural areas. 

And now sport: sport is obviously a great opportunity for health, for enjoyment, and I think the research does show that it does help you to deal with depression, isolation and loneliness. So, certainly, sport is something that we will be working very closely on with Sport Wales and hoping to include on the questionnaires and research that they do a question about loneliness and isolation. Of course, we must make sure that everybody who benefits from sport is across every part of society. She makes the very important point about engaging young women. 

And then finally, the final point, I think, was on cyber bullying. That is a very important point about people feeling isolated and lonely in their own homes, and I think this is an area that we certainly would want to follow up.