Isolation

Here at IncluSeat, as well as providing a seated exercise class aimed at all levels, abilities etc We also work at building a community where everyone is welcome & where we can help reduce isolation.

A high number of those with disabilities or long term health conditions are isolated, often excluded even by there own friendship groups. Often without there friends realising.

A staggering 39% of disabled adults feel lonely compared to 15% of non disabled adults, which is more than double the %.

The Charity Sense found 53% of disabled people experience chronic loneliness.

Disabled people are twice as likely to be out of work or can only work part time, which then contributes to limitations in their social life and with what they can do due to financial limitations.

During covid, 70% of disabled people reported that their mental health was negatively affected by increased isolation (ONS, 2021)

NHS reports that over 40% of adults with disabilities have at least 1 mental health condition.

If we break this down further, those with neurological conditions are significantly more likely to experience chronic loneliness.

The Neurological Alliance (2021) who do a yearly survey for those with neurological conditions, found that:

1 in 3 with neurological conditions regularly felt isolated

Over 60% said their condition negatively affects their social life.

Many find society & the environment is what stops them as local community services, do not meet their needs.

The MS Society UK reported in 2023 that those with MS feel cut off from society due to fatigue, mobility issues and inaccessible transport & buildings.

55% of respondents said isolation had got worse over time.

This can be said for all neurological conditions.

Generally especially more so for those with disabilities, often are single due to peoples viewpoints of disabilities. Therefore this can isolate the disabled person even more.

Friends assume that they have other people to do things with or to go away with but majority of the time this ends up being parents. (If they are alive)

How would you feel if everyone you knew told you to go away with your parents but you just want a few holidays with friends?

Sam has felt this herself. People think she has lots of friends, as she has a lot of fitness professionals on Facebook. But in fact Sam doesn’t have many friends to do things with, let alone ago away with. Sam absolutely loves day trips / travelling & wants to do more but unable to, as she can’t travel abroad on her own & not having many friends to travel with.

This is just one type of example of isolation with those with disabilities and/ or health conditions face within their daily lives.

This is why having a sociable drink after class has always been a feature of IncluSeat classes. You meet different people, some with similar issues to you. You will also get to make new friends, which many of our class members have. This is something Sam is passionate about.

Isolation is very common with those with cerebral palsy & why the comedian Rosie Jones has set up the Rosie Jones Foundation to help stamp out isolation for those with cerebral palsy.