The unique work of Re-engage impressed a huge audience at a top-level social prescribing event in Cardiff recently.

Engagement Officer for Mid, West and South Wales, Ailsa Guard, delivered a presentation described as ‘brilliant’ by broadcaster Sian Lloyd, who hosted the event. The conference was opened by Sarah Murphy, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, and was billed as a ‘dynamic day of learning, inspiration and collaboration.’

The National Framework for Social Prescribing Showcase was attended by 200 healthcare practitioners, policy makers and sector leaders.

Ailsa, who has been at Re-engage for two years and is undergoing ongoing treatment for breast cancer, said: “It was nerve-wracking, especially as I had to wait most of the day before giving my talk. But I raised a laugh at the beginning by saying I don’t usually need notes but on this occasion I would because of my menopause and chemo brain.”

The presentation outlined the extent of loneliness among older people in Wales – 91,000 feel consistently lonely – and how this can lead to a raft of health problems including, dementia, stroke, and heart disease, as well as early death.

Ailsa outlined the free services Re-engage delivers for people aged 75 and over – tea parties, activity groups, Call Companions, and our Flicks and Friends cinema group, using statistics to show how well these are working.

Over 80% of older people we support in Wales say their experience with Re-engage has been good or excellent. Three quarters feel happier about joining the charity, and nine out of ten say that since they started attending, they have something to look forward to.

Ailsa, who was accompanied by Engagement Team Manager, Sam Higgins, added: “It was a great event for us to showcase our work, which really impressed people. And since the conference, I’ve had several emails asking for more details about what we do so we’ve made important connections and that can only be good news for the older people we support.”