A Mansfield charity and business are pioneering a new service aimed at combating loneliness in older people.

They are working with world-renowned psychologist Dr Meredith Belbin, who decided to help older people overcome loneliness by finding them supportive friendships.

Dr Belbin is best known for his team-role theory and, when he lost his wife, designed a questionnaire that looks for compatibility and incompatibility amongst respondents.

To test his concept, Dr Belbin joined with Mansfield-based company Psychometric Testing Solutions, which specialises in personality profiling, and Jigsaw Support Scheme.

Their project, Together We Are Better, is a jointly-funded free service after discussions with Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group and Nottinghamshire County Council.

By completing the questionnaire, single, older people who share common interests can be identified to give them the chance to create friendships and overcome loneliness. A Jigsaw member arranges a meeting for potential matches and attends the first get-together.

A spokesman said: “For many older people, forming new friendships is daunting, especially if their confidence is low and they are feeling isolated.”

Invitations have been sent to potential participants, with the help of GP surgeries and other care agencies and organisations.

People aged 65 and over who would like to take part can call Jigsaw on 01623 662200 or visit www.togetherwearebetter.co.uk

Jigsaw is hoping to recruit around 500 people in the Mansfield and Ashfield district.
Alison Clarke, of the charity, said: “We were pleased to be approached by a psychologist of Dr Belbin’s calibre and to be involved.

“The feedback we have received so far has been very positive.”