and prevent a temporary experience of loneliness Some participants noted that in times of from becoming chronic. stress, even small gestures from friends, “I didn’t expect routine to be as hard to set family, colleagues, and peers were important in preventing loneliness from taking hold. In as it has been…I thought I’d be surrounded by more people.” hindsight, participants thought it would have helped if their social connections had found time (Retirement, Female, Aberystwyth, 55-74) to ask how they were and take the initiative to get together. 17 An example of preventative service best practice is The Shaftsbury Partnership . Focus on…The Shaftesbury Partnership (Wigan, Coventry, Southampton) “[It is]…preparing people to think holistically about their needs and Aim: The Retirement Transition Initiative supports aspirations for retirement…The transition employees to prepare for retirement by thinking strand started because so many people holistically about their needs and aspirations. had poor outcomes later in life that were Summary: A course package offered to those triggered by retirement so [we] looked to coming up to retirement; it covers topics such as how you can intervene earlier and build health, finances, social connections, aspirations resilience and well-being.” for spending time, and therapeutic-based ways (Expert, Retired/empty nesters) of engaging with people. Responsive support that people are going to judge you in living the way Responsive, tailored support was seen by that you are living.” participants and experts as necessary to deal (Divorced/separated, Female, Glasgow, 34-55) with disruption during critical moments of Importantly, participants also noted that they transition. Depending on the stage of a support would need ‘permission’ on signposting to user’s needs, different types of responsive available support if they didn’t perceive their support were needed. issue as ‘serious’, and the availability of support Responsive support should involve positively for ‘low level needs’ to tackle smaller problems framed and user-centred activities, to give a clear before they became deep seated issues was purpose for people experiencing loneliness, to valuable. Existing support was viewed as only help them forge new relationships, to develop available to those with ‘real, critical’ needs, and new interests, or to rediscover old skills. Meeting many participants felt they did not meet the high others going through similar experiences threshold criteria to access services. comforted some participants. “I know of organisations like the Samaritans “I think it would be great if people had and MIND but that’s the last step, that’s for the real serious cases.” somewhere they could drop-in. People can talk (Retired/Empty nesters, Male, Oldham, 55+) freely and openly, about whatever they want to talk about with the support of other people, so Assistance in transitioning through difficult that they know they are not alone…so that you life events and from statutory to community know there is a light at the end of the tunnel support with responsive services, including with somebody to help you and then you’ll see sharing tips and approaches to adjusting to new positive changes in your life rather than feeling circumstances, was also valued by participants 17 http://www.shaftesburypartnership.org/ and experts. What kind of support do people want and how do they want support delivered? 39