Evidence-based campaigning on loneliness in older age: an update from the Campaign to End Loneliness

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the progress of the Campaign to End Loneliness, and aims to illustrate how commissioners can be influenced to address loneliness in their localities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a case study that draws upon an external evaluation of the Campaign to End Loneliness by Charities Evaluation Services, a review of local government strategies and case studies of good practice. Findings – This paper focuses on the design, implementation and progress of Loneliness Harms Health, a series of local campaigns targeting health and wellbeing boards. It provides a case study of how evidence-based campaigning influenced newly formed health and wellbeing boards to address loneliness in their localities, and identifies implications for commissioner and provider practice. Practical implications – This paper demonstrates how to successfully influence commissioning practice using a “pincer” movement of local campaigning, top-down advice and informati...