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Resolved that Cabinet consider and either
approve all, approve in part or do not approve any of the
recommendations of Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board in
respect of the scrutiny review of Loneliness and Isolation in
Sandwell as follows:-
 
a)           
that for any pilot schemes or trials aimed to reduce social
isolation and loneliness consideration be given first to conducting
them in Tipton and Wednesbury due to the identified need in those
towns;
 
b)           
that information on support services, community groups and local
events are publicised widely including in Sandwell’s
libraries, on the Council’s website, on community notice
boards, at pop-up stalls and via the Sandwell Herald and
Health-related publications;
 
c)            
that the Council explore how they can support the community run
their own sessions, based on their own interests, and how to get
others to participate:
 
d)           
that the Social Prescribing Strategy for Sandwell addresses the
issues of loneliness and social isolation;
 
e)           
that a training module on the Council’s e-learning platform
be developed for frontline staff members to raise awareness of
Loneliness and Social Isolation, their signs and how to direct
individuals to support opportunities;
 
f)             
that the Assistant Director of Place – Contracts, Projects,
Strategy and Policy explore options to introduce ‘Happy to
Chat’ benches within the borough’s green spaces and
parks.