Raising awareness of modern-day loneliness in Plymouth

ben26rings
Authored by ben26rings
Posted: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 - 15:02

A new initiative is being launched in Plymouth this month to raise awareness of modern-day loneliness. Sisters Jennifer Hamer and Carolyn Campbell, who are running the campaign, are concerned about the impact loneliness can have on people’s mental health when working from home.

Carolyn Says:

“Working from home can be great for work-life balance but it can be very lonely. It can often be expensive to hire a desk or office space in communal areas too. More needs to be done to raise awareness of this issue and bring about solutions to modern-day loneliness in the home.”

‘The State of Remote Work’, Buffer’s 2019 annual report which surveyed 2,471 workers, concludes:

“Remote work isn’t always as Instagram-worthy as it may seem. In fact, many remote workers struggle with unplugging from their work, loneliness and communicating.”

CEO of fully remote company Doist, Amir Salihefendic, also recognises the problem and said:

“We need to acknowledge that isolation, anxiety and depression are significant problems when working remotely and we must figure out ways to resolve these complex issues.”

The sisters, who have been working with dogs for over 10 years, believe that dogs have a key role to play in helping Plymouth home-workers combat loneliness.

Jennifer says:

“It’s been proven that dogs in the workplace can make people happier and more productive. Having a dog in your home is a great way to get some company during the day. Dog hosting is a simple and easy commitment and it can do wonders for your mental health.”

Sarah Spendlove, an artist who works from home and regularly hosts dogs said:

"I enjoy the companionship, exercise and everything else that comes with dog sitting. I'd definitely recommend dog hosting to others, as it's brought bundles of furry joy into my home, and I always want to give them the best holiday full of walks and playtime!"

Jennifer and Carolyn's company Barking Mad Plymouth has a community of host families consisting of active retired people and those who either work from home or have extended periods away from work. They offer the opportunity to welcome a doggy companion into your home while their owners are away on holiday. Hosts experience all the benefits of dog companionship without any of the emotional or financial responsibilities of full-time pet ownership.

To find out more about using dog hosting as a way to combat modern-day loneliness you can call Jennifer or Carolyn on 01752 769 453 or visit https://www.barkingmad.uk.com/local/devon/plymouth/

Tags