Photo: © 2017 David Levenson
With isolation being a major issue in our society and the UK getting named ‘the loneliness capital of Europe’ – the need to create connections are so vital. Too many people face barriers in their lives and opportunities that can leave them more isolated. Disabled people are often at risk.
That’s why Livability has launched the ‘It all adds up’ pledge.
Inspired by the New Economics Foundation’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ Livability is encouraging everyone to do one or more of the ‘five ways’ as a way of creating connections in their community. From simple things like having a cup of tea with someone, to learning a new skill or hobby – there are many things that people can do help to connect people and battle down isolation. It all adds up.
Livability started the pledge over the summer, encouraging people to ‘connect’, ‘learn’, ‘get active’, ‘be mindful’ and ‘give’. Livability made the pledge the focus of their community zone in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, at the recent Parallel London event. Using giant idea boards and interactive activities and challenges for each of the 5 ways – there was loads to get involved with.
Connect – People were invited to share their ideas of how to connect with community, which were placed on massive ideas boards around the site.
Learn – Visitors could learn a new skill in gardening and horticulture, with the support and expertise of our Livability Holton Lee wellbeing team.
Get active – The people that live at Livability John Grooms Court shared their expertise in an accessible boxing master class. Visitors were also invited to take part in the Invictus challenge – to see how fast they could wheel 400 metres to make it on to the ‘Top Gear style’ speed leaders board.
Be mindful – Livability’s Happiness Course team lead through activities to provide people with time and space to practice some wellbeing and mindfulness exercises.
Give – Livability’s charity team were on hand to share information about Livability, discuss ways in which people can support communities locally – and also how they could support Livability in different ways.
Having done the ‘5-ways’ activities in our community zone, many people also took time to sign Livability’s ‘It all adds up pledge’. By signing up, people receive inspiration and ideas for how to make it all add up in their own communities.
If you’d like to sign up to the pledge and get inspired for how to tackle isolation – visit our pledge area.
Livability, 6 Mitre Passage, London SE10 0ER.
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