Maneet Kapoor has big plans to help end loneliness in his community

Manchester based pharmacist has big plans to help end loneliness in his community

LEADING a call for more awareness of loneliness and its tragic effects, a Manchester based chemist says he sees at least 10 people a day through his work who are isolated.

Maneet Kapoor is keen to support the city’s health commissioners with ideas that can help to solve the problem, while running Kapoor Pharmacy and Manley Pharmacy.

One of his ideas is to expand a section of the front of the Wilbraham Road shop to include a sing-posting information point where customers will be able to find out about groups, activities and friendship events in the area, while they are waiting for their prescription or advice.

“So many people who come in to our shop frame their day around picking up their medications – and for some we will be the only people they interact with that day,” he says.

“That’s why it’s so important to talk to our customers – and while we do that we can also do a quick review of their medication.

“We already have a seat in the shop – which is part of an age-friendly drive to help older people – but we want to be able to go further and actually have more seating and encourage people to look at the social or group events in the area.”

This holistic approach has been passed over to the pharmacy’s drivers, who are asked to make more time, especially around Christmas, to talk to the customers and make sure they have everything they need as the cold weather sets in.

The drivers are also giving out calendars to customers as a Christmas token.

The plan for a healthier Manchester includes new ways of tackling loneliness and bringing more care into communities and it outlines how boosting support communities can improve health and wellbeing, as well as address pressures around hospital care.

Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult health and Social Care at Manchester City Council and board member of Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, said:

“We welcome this type of innovation and proactive stance. Often it’s the small touches – those extra few minutes talking to someone – that can be a lifeline to helping with deeper-seated issues that can affect both mental and physical health.”

MHCC has also worked with Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows as part of its ongoing approach to tackling loneliness, to design a special Manchester badge for youngsters to get involved with health-based projects that could also help with loneliness.