This note describes how Salford Students' Union and the University of Salford work together to tackle student loneliness. ## Background The Students' Union adopted a strategic priority to address loneliness in 2023/24. - [[Why is Loneliness the focus of our BHAG?]] - [[Loneliness]] - The broader picture on loneliness as a phenomenon - [[Loneliness in Students]] - Student-specific research and statistics ## Strategic Context - [[EOOR Risk 7]] - APP OfS equality of opportunity risk 7 explicitly calls out loneliness - [[Why is loneliness a social justice issue?]] - [[Access and Participation]] alignment ## Our Strategy - [[Salford SU Tackling Loneliness Strategy (TLS)]] - The strategy document - [[Tackling Loneliness Theory of Change]] - The 3 I's framework ## The 3 I's Framework We deliver through three interconnected pathways: | Pathway | Lead | Focus | |---------|------|-------| | [[Inform (Tackling Loneliness)\|Inform]] | Bethan | Awareness, stigma reduction, training | | [[Intervene (Tackling Loneliness)\|Intervene]] | Tom | Direct support, SU Connectors, student groups | | [[Influence (Tackling Loneliness)\|Influence]] | Zaki | Systemic change, policy, structural inequity | ## Key Messages - Students need "friends" and "course mates" but it's not the job of the uni/SU to create friends - [[Effective loneliness interventions are about giving students the skills and opportunities to make friends or connect with others.]] - [[school plays rather than Broadway]] - Focus on accessible, low-barrier opportunities rather than polished productions - Most effective intervention is joining sports club or society ## Key Interventions ### Direct Support - [[SU Connectors]] - Our social prescribing programme (replaced [[Rafiki]] in 2025) - [[Social Prescribing]] - The broader approach - Student societies and sports clubs - Peer support and befriending ### Training and Awareness - Staff training on loneliness awareness - Student champion networks - [[Addressing loneliness stigma]] ### Systemic Change - Curriculum design input - Estates and space advocacy - Timetabling influence - [[Access and Participation]] alignment ## Principles - **Signpost, don't recreate** - Use existing resources from other charities, organisations, and the University where possible - **Action focus in addition to theoretical focus** - Practical interventions alongside research - **Academic engagement as primary mechanism** - Create connection through course-based activities ## Barriers We Address See [[barriers to participation or engagement in the SU]]: - Lack of money and time poverty - Not knowing what's available - Perception that "joining" a group is a barrier - Socio-economic background and protected characteristics affecting inclusion - Personal circumstances (caring responsibilities, disability) - Social dynamics (cliques, alcohol culture) ## Evaluation - [[Evaluating Loneliness]] - [[Alterline Student Life Pulse]] - Includes [[Question we ask in Alterline Pulse on loneliness]] - Pre/post measures for interventions - Quarterly monitoring ## Related Approaches - [[Activities organisations can do to address loneliness]] - [[EAST Model of Behaviour Change]] - [[SI-PASS Peer Mentoring]] ## Discounted Approaches - [[Health Impact Assessments]] approach ([[Public Health Approach]]) - See [[Meeting with Prof Phil Wheater December 2022 ]] ## Active Project - [[142.04 Operationalise the Loneliness Theory of Change]] - Current implementation project