Our project, "The Library of Living Minds," addresses the pressing issue of chronic loneliness among the elderly population in the UK, particularly those over the age of 75. With projections indicating a doubling of this demographic by 2039 and over a third experiencing chronic loneliness post-retirement, there is an urgent need to tackle this issue for both individual well-being and public health costs.

Loneliness negatively impacts people's health and wellbeing and counts as a major risk factor for premature mortality. Due to the rising number of elderly people in industrialised nations as well as older individuals' decreased physiological resilience, there are growing public health concerns about the implications of loneliness.

The Library of the Living Minds seeks to address this multifaceted challenge by harnessing the wealth of knowledge and experience that older adults possess and fostering meaningful social interactions within their communities through skill-sharing sessions.

Recognizing that public libraries serve as crucial refuges for seniors seeking social interaction, we embarked on a mission to enhance these spaces to better address the needs of the elderly. Through prototyping and gathering feedback, we developed a novel solution that shifts the paradigm from passive engagement to active participation: The Library of Living Minds.

At its core, our proposal empowers older adults to become active contributors within their community libraries. Rather than merely attending events as passive learners, they take on the role of hosts, leading skill-sharing sessions and fostering meaningful connections with their peers and younger generations. This approach not only combats loneliness but also reinstates a sense of purpose and belonging among seniors, thereby improving their overall quality of life.

Central to the success of The Library of Living Minds is its emphasis on leveraging the expertise and experiences of older adults. By tapping into their wealth of knowledge accumulated over a lifetime, we create opportunities for meaningful social interaction and community-based learning. This approach not only benefits the participants but also enriches the entire community by facilitating the exchange of skills, stories, and perspectives.

Through our innovative program, we aim to address the root causes of loneliness among the elderly while also transforming public libraries into vibrant hubs of intergenerational exchange and community engagement. By integrating the Library of Living Minds into their service offering and proving its effectiveness in reducing the healthcare burden of loneliness (e.g., through established social prescribing measures), local libraries are able to receive additional funding from the local council.

In summary, The Library of Living Minds represents a proactive and holistic approach to addressing the challenge of loneliness among the elderly. By celebrating the wisdom of age and challenging ageist stereotypes, we promote inclusivity and reinstate a sense of purpose in older adults. As the demographic landscape continues to evolve, the Library of the Living Minds represents a crucial investment in building resilient, compassionate communities that support individuals of all ages. By prioritising social connection and mutual learning, we envision a future where no one—regardless of age—is left feeling isolated or forgotten.

Loneliness among the elderly in the UK has become a critical public health issue, exacerbated by demographic shifts and changing social structures. Recent data indicates that the number of people who are chronically lonely in Britain has risen to 3.83 million, which is an increase of half a million since the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This demonstrates a significant escalation in the issue, underscoring the growing urgency to address loneliness within this demographic.

The repercussions of prolonged loneliness are substantial, affecting both mental and physical health. Loneliness is known to increase the risk of early mortality by 26%, and it is strongly associated with mental health issues such as depression. Moreover, 60% of people experiencing chronic loneliness also experience mental distress, which is significantly higher compared to those who are not chronically lonely. This connection between loneliness and health outcomes underscores the necessity of interventions targeted at reducing isolation among the elderly.

Addressing loneliness is not only a matter of improving individual well-being but also has broader societal and economic implications. The increased health risks among lonely citizens incur a large healthcare burden due to the needed health and care services. Recent research suggests that the annual economic and well-being toll of severe loneliness per individual amounts to close to £10,000 due to the impact on people's health and productivity. This financial impact illustrates the economic dimension of loneliness, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass health, and community engagement to effectively tackle this growing challenge.

In addressing elderly loneliness in the UK, leveraging local public spaces like libraries, where a significant portion of users are elderly, is essential. Public libraries are not just about lending books; they are supposed to be vital community hubs that provide a range of services, fostering social interaction and engagement among community members, including the elderly. By enhancing these services to cater more directly to the needs of older adults and promoting activities that encourage social interaction, libraries can play a significant role in mitigating loneliness among this demographic. Thus, investing in and adapting library services could offer a tangible solution to the growing concern of loneliness among the elderly, reinforcing their status as essential pillars of community support.

This is the process of our project in detail:

1. Engaging with the Community: We initiated our research by reaching out to 12 public libraries across London, where we conducted one-on-one interviews with elderly individuals. Through these conversations, we gained profound insights into their experiences, aspirations, and challenges encountered within the library setting, especially concerning the pervasive issue of loneliness. Additionally, we sought the perspectives of the librarians, understanding their objectives, frustrations, and aspirations in creating a conducive and supportive environment within the library premises.

2. Identifying Key Insights: We utilised a comprehensive clustering method with keywords derived from our interviews, we meticulously mapped out the key insights gleaned from both the elderly patrons and the librarians. From this process, clear patterns emerged, revealing distinct needs and desires. For librarians, a yearning for a sense of achievement, the establishment of a safe and inclusive space, and the fostering of community engagement were paramount. Conversely, the elderly patrons expressed a profound need for a sense of belonging, opportunities for social connection, technical assistance, and the perception of the library as a cherished second home.

3. Framing the Challenge: Armed with these insights, we framed our inquiry into a central question: "How Might We Reinstate a Sense of Purpose to Isolated Retired Elderly in London Through Local Libraries in the Next 10 Years?" This question propelled us towards innovative solutions rooted in empathy and social impact.

4. Designing Strategies: Inspired by the emerging concept of social prescribing, we conceptualised a strategy centred on facilitating skill-sharing sessions among the elderly patrons. This approach not only empowers them to share their expertise and experiences but also fosters meaningful social connections within the community.

5. Iterative Testing and Refinement: To validate and refine our concept, we conducted iterative testing, engaging directly with elderly participants. Through in-depth interviews, we gauged their receptivity to the idea of facilitating skill-sharing sessions. Encouragingly, two out of three participants expressed willingness to partake, providing valuable inputs for further refinement.

Our hypothesis

Our main hypothesis for our prototype testing was that if we provide opportunities for the elderly to teach and engage with others in a meaningful way, we can decrease loneliness in the elderly and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, we've identified two systemic constraints that may cause failure. Firstly, if there is no common interest or knowledge shared between the elderly as sharers and learners. Secondly, if the sharing session does not build meaningful interaction.

In our initial pilot session, we focused on the theme of 'Photojournalism,' a topic that garnered interest from two out of five elderly participants. This session, held at Brompton Library with six Gen Z participants, received positive feedback. Participants used descriptors such as 'engaging,' 'connecting,' and 'genuine' to characterise the experience, aligning with the criteria of providing meaningful social interaction. Notably, participants stayed longer than anticipated, and both librarians and elderly participants expressed enthusiasm for future sessions.

A key learning from the prototype testing is the importance of fostering a dialogue rather than a monologue during these sessions. To enhance engagement, we recommend that elderly participants pose questions or tasks to the younger participants. Recognizing that meaningful interaction takes time to develop, especially given that participants may not initially know each other and some may join the session late, it is crucial to create a welcoming and safe atmosphere throughout the entire service journey—before, during, and after the session.

For instance, we should consider ways to seamlessly involve walk-in participants in the conversation, facilitate post-session interactions, exploring options for participants to stay connected or transform the experience into a recurring event. These considerations will be integral to refining and iterating upon our prototype for future implementations.

Stakeholders

The most congenial position we can operate in is as a Social Enterprise. While we work closely with the library that is willing to participate in the programme, we are a separate entity that collects data, supports setting up the programme, and shares expertise. We sit in the intersection between Local Libraries and public institutions such as the local councils and healthcare organisations such as the NHS. In the libraries! librarians are key stakeholders in the Library. They know which library members are regulars and can bridge the gap between us and future skill sharers with a level of trust we could never achieve alone. The library system can work with several partners. The library can then make deals with businesses such as cafes, charity centres, and others in return for publicity based on the promoted activity. Collaboration with an enterprise called Library of Things presents an interesting opportunity. This company would act as a third party that provides equipment and household appliances to rent out to the public through the use of lockers and a digital platform. This means that the library can rent out to the neighbouring community a sewing machine, a pasta maker, a drilling tool, a vacuum cleaner, and all sorts of tools according to the user's temporary need. The library can take advantage of this service they are offering to not only have an additional revenue stream but also allow them to reserve equipment needed for a session happening at the library or at nearby partners, streamlining the process of gathering resources and materials necessary for a planned session.

A pilot program will be funded by AGE UK initially, and once the impacts are analysed, the scheme will seek long-term investment from local councils and the NHS. At the same time, with the help of research institutions, we'd monitor and provide these organisations with data affecting their costs directly. To reduce healthcare costs associated with loneliness among the elderly, the role of councils and the NHS is crucial. Our services would be able to justify the necessary investment in the scheme to run the operations and deliver value to the users if we could demonstrate and quantify the effectiveness of an expanded meaningful social network for the elderly. Examples include attendance in the A&E, the number of doctor's prescriptions, or the number of hospitalizations.

Once we have established a contract with the NHS, we will be in a good position to look for sponsors who are interested in the elderly 's quality of life. For example, insurance or home monitoring assistance companies that have strong interests in promoting their long-term health and personal well-being.

We would ultimately facilitate the sessions at their beginning but once it becomes stable, we will gradually transfer this role to the elderly who have been experienced sharers and have gained confidence over time.