Tackling Loneliness with Local Care That Connects
On average per month, Home Instead Sutton delivers close to 6,000 hours of care. But what does 6,000 hours of care really look like?
At first glance, it might sound like another number straight from a spreadsheet, but behind every hour lies something much more human: there are a team of people, a familiar routine, and real relationships that matter.
Take October this year, Home Instead Sutton supported 93 individuals across the borough, which is an amazing number and one to be proud of. What we’re really proud of is this however, we helped 93 people feel less alone.
Loneliness, A Health Crisis
Loneliness has been called an epidemic, and for good reason. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, nearly half of older people (about 49%) say that television or pets are their main form of company. And long-term loneliness doesn’t just hurt emotionally, it increases the risk of cognitive decline, depression, and even early death.
The World Health Organization now recognises social isolation as a major public health issue. Research shows that prolonged loneliness can be as harmful to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
This is the backdrop our team works against every day. And it’s why our kind of care which is relationship-led, consistent, and local, matters so much.
In Sutton, our local team members are doing more than delivering care. They’re creating continuity. They’re showing up regularly, not just as professionals but as familiar faces who know where the biscuits are kept, who remember the stories from last week, who notice when something’s not quite right.
And that kind of trust doesn’t just feel nice, it’s vital. According to neuroscience research, regular social contact (even brief, friendly interactions) boosts oxytocin, the bonding hormone that helps regulate mood and improve resilience.
When someone opens their door to a Care Professional they know and trust, they’re not just receiving help, they’re reconnecting with themselves.
Building Social Infrastructure
From our office, the numbers tell a story of coordinated care. This year, thousands of hours of support were clocked by our local team to ensure visits ran smoothly. We also had help from the wider Epsom & Mole Valley support team, ensuring our clients received seamless, high-quality care across the board.
But just as important as what happens in the home is what we’re doing outside it.
Our team has been out in the community this year, from the Wallington Wellbeing Event to mental health awareness at Cheam Resource Centre, to job fairs that are helping us grow our local team and it’s part of how we show up for our local area.
What’s Coming Next
Connection and community engagement doesn’t happen by accident. We’re currently working hard, laying the foundations for more ways to make meaningful connections possible:
- Singing for the Brain – Currently in planning stages, this initiative is known across the Home Instead network for the joy it brings, especially for those living with dementia. Wallington is a likely home for this new venture.
- Professional Partner Newsletter – Building stronger bridges between our office and local GPs, community services and social workers.
- Sharing Stories from Our Clients and Care Pros – Because these aren’t just services; they’re relationships that change lives.
A Borough Built on Belonging
Here at Home Instead Sutton, we don’t just “fill gaps.” We’re here to build a service and a community where older people feel rooted, recognised, and part of something bigger. We’re so proud to serve our clients and community and thankful for their trust. Here’s to a wonderful 2026!
