Conference Key Messages: Loneliness, A Threat to Scotland’s Health

On the 24th of November 2016, Voluntary Health Scotland held our annual conference titled Loneliness- a threat to Scotland’s health. The purpose of the conference was to examine the damage that protracted loneliness causes to both physical and mental health, ask what difference a national strategy can make, and explore a range of third sector interventions making a difference on the ground.

We were joined by over 150 delegates from the third sector, NHS and public sector from across Scotland.

Read our Twitter Storify report here.

For reference: Loneliness Conference Agenda

Read the Key Messages report from the conference: Key messages – Loneliness a Threat to Health

You can also read our Loneliness and Social Isolation Briefing for background information.

Presentations from the conference:

Dr Catherine Calderwood, CMO

Marie Hayes, British Red Cross

James Jopling, Samaritans

Mark Hazelwood, Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care

Liz May, Action for Sick Children Scotland

Paul Okroj, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland

Professor Tom Scharf, Newcastle University

Dr Andrew Fraser, NHS Health Scotland

For more information on the event, please contact Lauren Blair lauren.blair@vhscotland.org.uk 0131 474 6190