Isolation can be as damaging as a practical care problem. Sandwell’s local offer includes community groups, wellbeing routes, volunteering, and library services that reach people who are unable to get out. This means support is not only about formal care; it can also be about connection, routine and confidence.
Who this page is for
This page is for residents who are lonely, housebound or cut off, and for carers, neighbours, social prescribers and families who want a more local and practical answer than simply ‘join a group’.
Home Library Service and mobile library support
Sandwell Libraries run an Outreach Library Service that includes a Home Library Service for residents who cannot get out to the library because of disability, illness, frailty, a short-term injury, difficulty carrying books, or a full-time caring role.
- The service is described as free for eligible Sandwell residents
- Books can be delivered monthly to people’s homes, sheltered accommodation, residential homes or nursing homes
- The library service also runs a reading group for people eligible for the home library route
This is one of the simplest Sandwell-specific options for residents who want regular contact and stimulation but cannot get out independently.
Wider wellbeing and community routes
Sandwell’s Wellbeing page brings together several routes that matter when somebody is isolated: Healthy Sandwell, Route2WellBeing, Visit Sandwell and LetsGoSandwell volunteering.
This is useful because the right support may not look like adult social care. It may be a walking group, volunteering opportunity, community venue, social activity or a trusted wellbeing programme.
How libraries and community routes fit with care support
For some people, these services are enough on their own. For others, they work best alongside more formal support such as community alarms, equipment, a carer, or a day opportunity.
If somebody is isolated because getting washed, dressed, fed or safely out of the house is becoming too difficult, use the adult social care route as well.
Useful Sandwell links
