Message from Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Dear Parish & Town Councils,

We would be grateful if you could share the information below as widely as possible within your parish and local networks.

Swale CVS is the local infrastructure organisation supporting voluntary groups, charities and volunteers across the borough. We work closely with residents, community organisations, parish councils and statutory partners, and have long-standing experience delivering and coordinating work around volunteering, befriending, community transport, digital inclusion and community wellbeing. This project has grown directly out of that work and what we are consistently hearing from residents and frontline organisations.

Loneliness Matters

Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a major public health issue, linked to poorer mental and physical health and reduced life expectancy. In Swale, this challenge is amplified by rural isolation, limited public transport, coastal and village geography, and inequalities between neighbouring communities.

To better understand this locally, Swale CVS and partners carried out the Loneliness in Swale survey, which received responses from 431 residents across the borough (attached to this email). The level of engagement highlights both the scale of the issue and how strongly residents feel about it.

The findings show that loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds, often reinforced by practical barriers such as transport, disability, caring responsibilities, digital exclusion and a lack of accessible local activities. Residents told us that low-pressure, welcoming opportunities, practical support, and better information about what is available locally can make a real difference.

This work aims to build a clear, evidence-based picture of loneliness in Swale so that future action is better coordinated, grounded in lived experience, and focused on what works locally. Parish councils play a vital role in this, through local knowledge, trusted relationships, and community spaces.

Turning insight into action

Alongside sharing the findings, we are already taking practical steps, including:

1. Launching the Swale Community Activities Directory
   A new online directory bringing together local groups, clubs, classes, volunteering, and support services in one easy place. It helps residents discover what is happening nearby, stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others. Listings are free, regularly updated and designed to improve visibility of existing community activity across Swale, this can be accessed at www.SwaleCVS.org.uk/Whatson

1. Rolling out Loneliness Champion training
   We are also offering Loneliness Champion training to build confidence in recognising loneliness and supporting people appropriately. The sessions will cover:
   1. Recognising signs of loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression
   2. Basic mental health awareness and self-care
   3. Communication skills, empathy and having non-intrusive conversations
   4. Practical tools, activities, and signposting

Training dates:

• Wednesday 25 February, 10–12 (Swale CVS offices)
• Friday 6 March, 10–12 (online via Zoom)
• Wednesday 18 March, 1–3pm (Swale CVS offices)
• Tuesday 24 March, 10–12 (online via Zoom)

You can sign up to the training here: https://forms.gle/Ct1YJ3rbnA2K1ADx9

We look forward to sharing more detail and exploring how parish councils can connect into this work in a way that is practical, proportionate, and locally relevant.

If you have any questions in the meantime, or would like further information ahead of the session, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Swale Community and Voluntary Services