An investigation into social isolation and loneliness in Bracknell Forest has been noted by the council's top team.

The Wellbeing & Finance panel's deep-dive saw officers and councillors talk to residents and carers about their experience of services that support people who feel isolated and lonely.

Members of the panel also heard from organisations who support vulnerable residents, including Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society, Bracknell Churches Together, Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and Promise Inclusion (Pinc).

Interviews conducted explored residents' experiences of social isolation and lonliness both before and after the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Dale Birch, BFC's adult services boss, said: "This piece of work will inform the development of the health and wellbeing strategy, where one of the principal priorities is isolation and loneliness. In effect, the six-month review of these proposals coincides with the targeted production of the health and wellbeing strategy.”

Cllr Malcolm Tullett, Chair of the Wellbeing and Finance Overview and Scrutiny Panel, added: “This was a very large area of work to cover and we may need to go back to it a number of times.

“We were keen to hear residents’ and professionals’ views about what was working well and what could be improved.”

“In addition to monitoring the ongoing implementation plan, I look forward to seeing progress in this area at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission in September and welcome the commitment to the panel’s findings and recommendations, particularly in influencing the development of the new health and wellbeing strategy.”

The scrutiny report into Isolation and Loneliness is available on the Council’s website.