Loneliness is an epidemic and it is estimated that in Glasgow alone, 15,000 people are affected by chronic loneliness, with many thousands more regularly experiencing it.
Wood Unlimited is our new Big Lottery funded training programme which aims to tackle social isolation through woodwork. It’s a 6-week health and well-being themed course aimed at reducing the impact of loss, isolation and loneliness.
The scheme involves a combination of practical woodwork skills, conservation activities and community projects. It aims to support participants as they make community connections to enable continued participation in volunteering and local groups and events.
The programme will be delivered at our workshop in South Street and will include five key elements:
• Practical woodwork skills
• Personal development activities
• A community project
• Making community connections
• Individual action plans to help continued participation
At a recent conference, Cllr Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“Loneliness can have a potentially devastating impact on our daily lives, health and wellbeing. These feelings are even linked with poor health, including high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of developing dementia.”
There is also a stigma attached to loneliness with almost two-thirds of Glasgow residents surveyed saying that admitting to loneliness is difficult. It is now becoming more prevalent in younger generations as well, going against the common perception and highlighting the severity of the issue.
GWR aims to reduce the stigma of loneliness and social isolation as well as the impact, by getting people together, giving them a place to belong and supporting them to make connections in their community. We are ideally placed to provide this training as we have a proven track record of supporting volunteers and providing opportunities to marginalised groups, helping them to achieve positive outcomes.
Following on from the success of our previous training programme Making Wood Work, this is another exciting chance for our volunteers to meet new people, learn new skills and gain hands-on experience of a craft trade.
