Lonely or Isolated
Feeling lonely can happen for many reasons like moving or losing someone.
It can affect mental health and cause sadness or anxiety.
Learning Disability Support Organisations
Your Voice Advocacy
- Overview: Independent advocacy and social support organization based in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.
- Services Provided: Offers 1-to-1 advocacy, self-advocacy groups, weekly social activities, activity calendars, and easy-read support.
- Coverage: Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
- Website: yourvoiceadvocacy.org.uk
Gig Buddies Cymru (Learning Disability Wales)
- Overview: A befriending project that matches adults with a learning disability and/or autism with volunteer buddies who share the same interests.
- Services Provided: Pair matching to go out together to social events, concerts, cinema, pub nights, sports, or live performances.
- Coverage: Swansea and surrounding South Wales areas.
- Website: ldw.org.uk/project/gig-buddies-cymru
Mirus
- Overview: A major non-profit care and support organization working in partnership with local authorities across South Wales.
- Services Provided: Offers supported living, flexible community support, respite breaks, and community connection projects helping individuals build social networks, discover hobbies, and get active locally.
- Coverage: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and across Wales.
- Website: mirus-wales.org.uk
Cartrefi Cymru
- Overview: A non-profit co-operative organisation that supports people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs across Wales to live fulfilling lives in their local communities.
- Services Provided: Supported living, community access, floating support, short breaks, and person-centred social inclusion activities tailored to individual goals and hobbies.
- Coverage: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and across Wales.
- Website: cartrefi.coop
Community Lives
- Overview: A person-centred organisation operating across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot that supports disabled people to live fulfilling, independent lives within their local communities.
- Services Provided: Offers supported living, residential care, respite services, sessional support, a local day centre in Swansea, and community social projects (such as Time 2 Meet).
- Coverage: Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
- Website: communitylives.org
Local Organisations
NHS Every Mind Matters
Loneliness is an issue that can affect us all, young or old, at any point in our lives. We might live in a busy city or a rural location, on our own or with others and still feel isolated. If you cannot reach out to friends or family, if you want to talk to someone in confidence, or if you know someone who may need some support, these organisations are here to help.
Mind
Explains loneliness, including the causes of loneliness and how it relates to mental health problems. Gives practical tips to help manage feelings of loneliness, and other places you can go for support.
Action for Elders
Balanced Lives Programme deals with physical, mental and social well-being, giving people the tools to take control of their health during later years. Runs in few location across Swansea. Call 0303 303 01 32
SmallWoods
One important purpose of a woodland can be the health and wellbeing benefit it gives to the local community. Firstly, an improvement in positive relationships via social contact, thus decreasing isolation. Secondly, an improvement in perceived physical and mental wellbeing from time spent in nature doing physical activities
SilverLine
The Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, confidential telephone service for older people. We provide friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call free on 0800 4 70 80 90.
Men’s Sheds Cymru
Men’s Sheds Cymru introduced and now drives forward the Men’s Sheds movement in Wales. Men’s Sheds is an internationally recognised and successful concept for establishing community groups specifically around the needs of men.
Women’s Institute
The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members. In 1915, we set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community. Since then, our members and our ambitions alike have grown tremendously
u3a – learn, laugh, live
u3a is a UK-wide collection of 1000+ charities that provide the opportunity for those no longer in work to come together and learn for fun. There are lots of opportunities to get involved with learning remotely or in your area.
YoungMinds
All of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives, and it can be difficult to cope with. But there are things you can do to feel better and people who can help. Information about coping with loneliness.
Do Summit Good
The Men’s Shed opens up their space every Thursday from 10am-12pm for local guys to come hang out and help us with some of the tasks on the farm. This is about creating more positive and community driven spaces for local men to connect. Call on 075 479 97 111 or email hello@gosummitgood.co.uk for more information./