Support for older / isolated people · Forth

What “done” looks like

You know at least one real local option, you have contacted them, and you have shared accurate info with the person who needs it (or their family) without pressure or medical claims.

Effort: 2–5 hours over 2–6 weeks

Why this matters here

Forth · this ward only

Isolation can sit alongside older age profiles, health, and housing patterns in Forth (see CSS People). Your job is connection — not becoming a care service.

Before you start

Do not start a new isolation project until you have checked local groups.
You are not a clinician or social worker unless qualified and employed as one.
No pressure on the person to accept help.
Do not share their private details publicly.
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services.

Letter for this ward

Prefills this ward. Fill the square brackets, then send. Councillor inboxes are not held — use WriteToThem.

Send to

Support for isolated older residents — Forth

Subject: Support for isolated older residents — Forth

Dear Councillors,

I am a resident of Forth ward (City of Edinburgh).

I want to know what already exists for isolated older people in this ward before anyone invents a new group.

Held public figures for this ward (Community Shield Scotland — official sources only):
• Police recorded 3,127 crimes in this ward in 2024–25 (675 more than 2023–24). Source: Police Scotland multi-member ward figures — management information, not official statistics.
• Children in low income: 12% — 679 children · before housing costs · FYE 2025. Source: DWP CiLIF.
• 24.7% of people here live in Scotland’s most deprived fifth of areas. Source: SIMD 2020v2, rolled from data zones to this ward.
• In the 2022 local election, Scottish National Party led on first preferences (31% of first preferences).
• Community assets held for this ward: 32 (6 schools · 4 GP · 3 pharmacy).

What I am asking:
1. Point me to the services and groups that already visit or meet here
2. Say how a resident can volunteer or refer someone
3. A written reply within 14 days

These counts describe the ward. They do not say who committed a crime or who is to blame. I am not asking you to treat residents as offenders.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Street or area in this ward]
[Date]

Open blank email

Paste into WriteToThem — we do not hold personal inboxes.

Path from idea to done

Seven fixed phases — skip only when the guide says so

Name the need in one sentence
e.g. someone to talk to once a week.
~10 min
Scan CSS Assets & What’s happening
Libraries, community halls, cafés, CCs.
~20 min
Check national directories
Befriending, Men’s Sheds, Age Scotland.
~20 minAge Scotland

Funding (if needed)

No-money first · local · national

No-money path

First path is free: find and share existing services. Grants only if a partnered group later runs a real project.

Local routes

City of Edinburgh — Community Grants Fund
small
Official council funding hub. Programmes open and close — check the live page for eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
Foundation Scotland — funds near you
small
Many local and thematic funds are searchable by postcode or council area. Check live eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland)
larger
Scotland programmes from micro to larger community grants. Always use the current official programme list.
Official page
Council in-kind support
micro
Bags and collection for clean-ups, room hire, inspections, or land permission. Often more useful than a small grant. Ask the service team in writing.
Search your council website — check the live page
Community council grants / endorsement
micro
Some community councils hold small pots or can endorse applications. Find yours on this ward’s Your representatives page and ask at a public meeting.
Search your council website — check the live page

National routes (Scotland)

SAMH / mental health partners
small
Guidance for safe peer support — not clinical care.
Official page
SCVO / Volunteer Scotland
micro
Organising and volunteering infrastructure.
Official page
Small community grants (Lottery-style)
micro
Micro and small grants for local groups. Check live Lottery Scotland pages.
Official page

Amounts and deadlines change. Always use the official page. We never invent figures.

Downloads

Pre-filled with Forth and Edinburgh where useful

Full guide (idea → done)
00-older-isolated-guide.txt
Evidence checklist
01-older-isolated-evidence-checklist.txt
Local support contact log
02-local-support-contact-log.txt

Official links

Deeper information

If you’re stuck · common mistakes

Stuck paths

No local group found: use Age Scotland / council community pages; ask ward councillors for signposting.
Person refuses help: respect that; leave the door open.

Common mistakes

Starting a “befriending service” alone without safeguarding.
Sharing private medical details.
Promising care you cannot deliver.

All actions Your representatives