Social Connection Matters: Combatting Loneliness in Later Life
Building social connection in South Lanarkshire to reduce loneliness and support healthier ageing.
How Home Instead South Lanarkshire Builds Social Connection Through Companionship
Have you ever noticed how a simple chat over a cuppa can completely change someone’s day?
For older adults, that brief conversation can be far more than a pleasant exchange, it can be a lifeline. In South Lanarkshire, the value of staying socially connected is not just recognised, but actively supported through thoughtful, community-led action. Social connections are key to healthy ageing, helping to prevent loneliness, improve mental and physical wellbeing, and provide a sense of belonging.
At Home Instead South Lanarkshire, we believe ageing should never mean feeling left out. Let’s take a closer look at how our local area is proving that older people are not just part of the community, they’re at the heart of it.
Rebuilding Connections: Why Social Isolation Matters
Social isolation can affect physical and mental wellbeing in significant ways. Older adults who are isolated can experience challenges such as low mood, reduced mobility, or a decline in overall well-being. But the opposite is also true, strong social ties help people stay healthier for longer.
South Lanarkshire has taken this issue seriously, responding with a wide range of programmes and initiatives that bring people together and help individuals remain connected, active, and engaged with life.
Age Friendly South Lanarkshire: Planning with Older People, Not Just for Them
Did you know that South Lanarkshire is Scotland’s first officially recognised Age Friendly Community?
That title reflects more than just a few good initiatives. It represents a shift in how communities are built, with older adults involved from the start. Using the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly Cities Framework, South Lanarkshire works across eight areas, including housing, transport, and civic engagement, to make life better for older people.
The aim is simple but powerful: to build communities that work for everyone.
Seniors Together: Staying Connected, Informed, and Involved
One of the most inspiring local programmes is Seniors Together, a partnership between South Lanarkshire Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership.
Free to join, the initiative supports both physical and emotional wellbeing through:
- Community newsletters
- Educational workshops
- Coffee mornings and memory cafés
- Social clubs and special events
- Partnerships with organisations like Police Scotland and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture
There’s something deeply human about this work. It’s not just about organising events, it’s about creating spaces where older adults are valued, respected and supported to stay active in their communities.
Befriending: Small Chats, Big Difference
Sometimes, one meaningful connection can brighten someone’s day and foster a sense of belonging..
Befriending schemes do just that. Across Scotland, trained volunteers are matched with individuals who may not otherwise have regular social contact. The impact is enormous.
Take Michael, who felt isolated after being diagnosed with epilepsy. When he was introduced to Steven through Epilepsy Connections, everything changed. Their weekly meetings gave Michael confidence, companionship, and the push he needed to reconnect with his local community.
These friendships benefit both parties, giving volunteers a sense of purpose and joy too.
Keeping Active, Staying Social
Movement doesn’t just help the body, it supports the mind and heart too. Physical activity is a proven way to improve mood and reduce feelings of isolation.
Programmes like Care About Physical Activity (CAPA) and Cycling Without Age Scotland are helping older adults maintain mobility through fun, inclusive experiences. Whether it’s a group walk, gentle seated exercise, or a scenic trishaw ride, these activities are social occasions as much as they are fitness opportunities.
They’re also a reminder that staying active doesn’t have to mean going to a gym, it can start with a walk to the local theatre or even a spot of indoor gardening with friends.
The Mobile Men’s Shed: Meeting Older Adults Where They Are
Traditional clubs and groups often don’t work for everyone, especially in rural or underserved areas. That’s where the Mobile Men’s Shed comes in.
Originally a converted mobile library, this van travelled to 28 venues across South Lanarkshire, offering taster sessions and warm conversations that sparked lasting friendships. It led to the creation of 16 permanent Men’s Sheds, welcoming spaces where men can share skills, stories and a laugh over a cuppa.
These informal settings encourage socialising without pressure, showing that belonging doesn’t always have to come with structure.
Volunteering as a Two-Way Street
Volunteering offers older adults a way to give back while also supporting their own wellbeing. Whether running community cafés, mentoring younger people or supporting those with dementia, local volunteers are making a tangible difference.
The benefits are mutual: volunteers gain companionship, purpose and often lifelong friendships. South Lanarkshire celebrates its older volunteers not just as helpers, but as leaders, advisers and decision-makers.
Take Colin Angus and Eleanor McLean, for instance, both instrumental in shaping local services through their volunteering work, showing how much value older voices bring to the table.
Digital Inclusion: Staying Connected in a Digital Age
While technology can seem unfamiliar at first, with the right support, it becomes a valuable bridge to connection.
In South Lanarkshire, tailored digital training is helping older adults learn to:
- Video call loved ones
- Access council services
- Read e-books or join virtual book clubs
- Stay safe online
- Use email and social media to remain informed
From Care and Repair’s home-based digital training to initiatives supported by the Scottish Government, the aim is clear: no one should be left out because of a lack of digital skills.
Finding the Right Support: Making It Easier to Join In
Often, the biggest barrier to taking part is simply not knowing what’s available. That’s why Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLAN) created the Locator tool, an easy-to-use platform that helps residents find local services, activities, and groups.
From book clubs to memory cafés and social theatre outings, there’s something for everyone, and the more accessible the information, the more people can join in.
Activities That Spark Joy and Connection
Some of the most successful social activities are the simplest. Across South Lanarkshire, older adults are reconnecting through:
- Book clubs that encourage shared stories and discussion
- Indoor gardening groups that bring nature inside, even in winter
- Trips to local theatre that spark cultural conversation and enjoyment
- Memory cafés that provide a warm space for those living with dementia and their carers
These moments of connection, often overlooked, are at the very core of a meaningful, supported older life.
Listening from the Start: Not Just Being Heard, But Being Included
In many places, feedback from older people comes after the fact, but South Lanarkshire is changing that. South Lanarkshire is changing that. Older residents are now directly involved in shaping the area’s Strategic Commissioning Plan, influencing services from the ground up.
With more accessible meetings (including online), carers and housebound individuals can participate too.
Looking Ahead: What Can Other Communities Learn?
The work being done in South Lanarkshire offers practical, people-focused lessons for other areas:
- Repurpose old vehicles into mobile community hubs
- Promote activities in places like libraries, barbers and churches, not just online
- Offer digital skills in friendly, accessible environments
- Start small and let initiatives grow naturally with community support
- Always involve older people in decision-making
Ageing in South Lanarkshire: Not Alone, but Together
Getting older doesn’t mean losing connection. It means living with purpose, staying involved, and being recognised as a valued member of the community.
At Home Instead South Lanarkshire, we’re proud to support a region where older adults are not only included, they’re leading the way. With continued investment in activities, access, and community-led support, we can build a future where ageing well isn’t a privilege, it’s the norm.
If you or a loved one could benefit from home care, companionship, or just a friendly face to talk to, we’re here to help.
Contact Home Instead South Lanarkshire today to find out more about how we support social connection and wellbeing for older adults across the region.
Areas We Serve
Lanark, Carluke, Biggar & the surrounding areas
G75 0, G75 9, ML10 6, ML11 0, ML11 7, ML11 8, ML11 9, ML12 6, ML3 0, ML3 6, ML3 7, ML3 8, ML3 9, ML8 4, ML8 5, ML9 1, ML9 2, ML9 3
7 St Leonard St, Lanark ML11 7AB, UK
01555 700601