The Rev. Marianne Allison, Chaplain & Spiritual Care Coordinator, on addressing loneliness in our community.
At William Temple House, we commit to holding up the unique value and dignity of everyone we serve. We want our clients to feel seen as the whole people they are, so much more than whatever particular need brings them to our doors. As we pay attention to our clients and wider community, we have noted that one thing many of us have in common is loneliness and social isolation. For some of us, we have lost touch with family and friends. For others, we live alone or don’t have our own transportation.
It’s not surprising that we’re observing this. There is a growing body of research that reflects that, especially in adults over age 45, social isolation and loneliness are increasing and may affect as many as one in three individuals. For people with lower incomes, LGBTQ people, and those who are unpaid caregivers, the rates are even higher. The research indicates that without a network of trusted, affection-based relationships, disruptive life changes or traumas may become permanent setbacks. The stress of loneliness is also correlated with physical and mental health issues. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May has even appointed a “Minister of Loneliness” to develop strategies to reduce loneliness and social isolation and reduce their associated costs and impacts in their country.
Building Social Connection
At William Temple House, we are beginning to assess how we might respond to the widespread experiences of social isolation and loneliness in our community. What do these experiences look like? Social isolation can be measured by the size and strength of social networks and other factors, while loneliness is a more subjective, emotional, and affective experience. We recently received a grant from the Episcopal Bishop of Oregon Foundation to begin measuring loneliness and to pilot programs and partnerships to help ameliorate it. What social connections might our clients be interested in? What might it look like to build community at William Temple House? Stay tuned for updates on some of our learnings and updates on these efforts.
“Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” ― Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper