During the COVID pandemic in 2020, UNC Asheville (UNCA) and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) partnered to form the Social Bridging Project as a response to concerns about the potential impact of social isolation, social distancing, and other COVID-19 pandemic-related measures on older adults in Western North Carolina. The project’s aim was to provide older adults who were isolated or lonely with a source of social connection, technology support and referrals to needed resources through social “wellness calls” from primarily university students. The project was also expected to increase students’ active listening skills and intergenerational connections. The project has expanded to serve all adults across the state and is funded through September 2024.
Testimonial
“It made me feel like I could have a part of the future; that she and also the program thought that geriatric people were important enough to have this program.” – Social Bridging Project Participant
Social Bridging NC
In 2023, the Social Bridging Project’s success and ongoing partnership with the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services led to the creation of a statewide hub, Social Bridging NC, a web-based resource center with information about social isolation and loneliness and all of the services and resources across the state that are dedicated to addressing social isolation and to promoting social connectedness and engagement.
Social Bridging NC aims to alleviate some of the difficulties associated with social isolation and loneliness by offering a one-stop shop of resources that includes a database of virtual programming resources. In addition to the virtual classes offered, the website connects adults with essential resources and offers support and phone-based reassurance through trained callers who provide friendly check-ins and assistance with Telehealth services and other basic technology skills.