OFTEN it is little acts of kindness which make a difference to the lives of those at risk of loneliness and isolation in old age.

Many older people in Yorkshire have seen their quality of life improve thanks to a community scheme launched last summer by charity Rural Action Yorkshire.

Community Connect, partly funded by Doncaster Council, is aimed at reducing rates of social isolation in the over-65s and linking people up to services more effectively in their area.

Two agents working in urban and rural areas identify those most at risk, from mental and physical health problems as well as loneliness and isolation, and make contact to find out what needs they may have. In many cases, the needs include social contact, digital skills, and mobility to get out and about.

Community Connect project has also been piloting an iPad scheme which gets older people with little to no digital skills into using the internet and technology, via the use of an app ‘Tap Into’ allowing friends and family to more easily keep in touch.

Sharon Middling, who covers rural areas, has helped people through a range of problems, but says it's often just company which is most valued. “The majority of clients I come into contact with feel trapped in their own homes, because they're caring for partners, or just feel as if they have nobody to talk to," she says. "They might describe carers as being unfriendly, or they can’t stay long enough for a good chat, which is where the community agent role differs to the normal carer role.”

Sharon worked with Dorothy before she moved into a nursing home. Dorothy had limited mobility and mild dementia which deteriorated in recent months. She lived alone, and despite coming across as happy, felt lonely and missed the company of others.

Sharon’s role involved signposting Dorothy to relevant services to alleviate her loneliness, such as craft sessions and complementary therapies.

The scheme is aimed at getting older people out and more active. Jan Milner, an agent working in urban areas, has set up a ‘walking football’ group, in partnership with the People Focussed Group.

“Members find it gets them out of the house, gets them moving, having a laugh and making new friends. Without it they say they'd just be at home not doing anything. It's a great way to maintain contact with the community and feel part of your local area,” says Jan.

Small gestures such as helping people switch energy suppliers have also helped. Older people are more at risk of paying over the odds for their energy, especially if they still pay by cheque and don't have the digital skills to compare the market providers properly.

Sharon discussed her own energy bills with clients and explained how she had saved money from switching. The process of comparing bills can turn into a lesson in IT, leading to other skills and activities.

Valerie, who has lived alone since her husband died, wanted to learn more about IT, but didn't have the confidence to try it on her own, despite owning a laptop and paying for a broadband connection. Through a community agent, she was connected to the internet, guided through the energy switch process, and eventually found savings of £15 a month, equating to £180 a year. Subsequent one-to-one sessions enabled Valerie to try new things on her own.

Wayne Munro-Smith, project co-ordinator for Community Contact, said: “It's amazing how a bit of help, advice, and company can go so far and have such wide-reaching effects, both on physical health and emotionally. We have so far helped older people who are the main carers for their spouses to feel less socially-isolated and cut off from the world, get people interested in new technology, and also encourage people to join new clubs and activities.

“It's never too late to learn a new skill and make new friends.

“In the UK we have an ageing population and increasing reports of a loneliness epidemic. The project demonstrates that it is one-to-one intervention that can really make a huge difference to the lives and confidence of older people. In turn this can help us to reduce those feelings of being cut off from others, and celebrate the care we can all give to society and to ourselves, whatever our age or health status.”

* For more about the scheme ring 0845 313 0270.