Are you or someone you know, experiencing loneliness? Would you like to get out and about and make friends, but lack the confidence to do so?
Community Connectors could help. We provide short term support, usually about six-eight sessions, to help individuals (aged 18+) take the first steps to getting out and about in their local community.
Holli, 29 from Fratton, wanted to join a confidence building course but needed help to take the first steps. She said:
“Sharon my Community Connector was great. She helped me get over the initial hurdle of joining a new class with people I didn’t know. She came along with me to a couple of sessions and I soon felt ready to go on my own.
“I’d really recommend Community Connectors to anyone who needs a bit of support to get out and about more.”
A Community Connector will meet with the individual and talk to them about their interests. This is about getting to know the person, their interests and what they would like to achieve to help them feel less lonely. This could be taking up old interests, visiting a friend, attending a social group or activity class, using public transport etc. – the list is endless, and really does depend on what each individual says is important to them.
Anything that is put in place has to be self-sustainable so that the individual can keep going with it on their own once the sessions have ended.
Community Connectors is about empowering individuals to do things for themselves. We can also signpost to other agencies or resources if this would be more appropriate.
For more information, please call 023 9284 1762 or email communityconnectors@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.