Timeline

This two year study officially started at the beginning of March 2016, as can be seen in the timeline below. The first six months of the study involved reviewing literature, consulting with experts from existing projects targeting loneliness, and seeking views of staff and service users. The next six months of the study involved testing this model of Community Navigator support with 10 service users. We sought feedback from service users and the navigators and subsequently refined the model of support. The study working group developed and refined our model of navigator support throughout.

Since April 2017, we have been carrying out a feasibility randomised controlled trial of the intervention involving 40 service users. We will use mixed methods evaluation and seek feedback from service users, involved family/friends, navigators and service staff. We will then refine the model of support to produce a manualised intervention and produce a final report by May 2018.