Compassionate Frome

908. Helen Kingston

In partnership with ‘Frome Medical Practice’ and ‘Health Connections Mendip’, Helen has created a service directory of over 400 local care providers and volunteers to help people reconnect with their community. Services include helping with shopping and dog-walking, exercise classes and choir practice. Studies have not only shown a 17% drop in emergency admissions in the town, but also a fall in the cost of admissions by 21%. Helen is now working to introduce the model to other areas of Somerset and Wales.

In a personal letter to Helen, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“By launching the ‘Compassionate Frome’ project, you have created a successful and pioneering model that tackles the terrible impact of loneliness and reconnects people with local services. The fall in emergency admissions you have seen is a testament to your tremendous commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the people in Frome.”

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Loneliness, said:

“I am delighted that Helen Kingston’s pioneering work in Frome to reconnect individuals with their community and tackle loneliness has been recognised by the Prime Minister with a Points of Light award. She is a truly deserving recipient.

“This government is committed to tackling loneliness. ​As the world’s first Minister for Loneliness, ​I am ​leading cross-government work to help the many people in our society who are lonely, including creating the first ever strategy on loneliness for England and a dedicated fund.”

Helen said:

“Through a shared understanding of the importance of strong relationships and communities we have found a way to systematically help individuals to reconnect to their community and reestablish a sense of agency and belonging.

“I hope you will allow me to accept this on behalf of the fantastic team and community in Frome who have worked together and have achieved so much more than would have been possible as individual organisations.”