Impact Bond: Reconnections Worcestershire 
Stage of development: Complete
Policy sector: Health
Intervention: The SIB provides one-to-one tailored support for lonely older people who co-develop an action plan to establish ways in which they can (re)connect with a variety of local support networks. The SIB facilitates this access to services to link individuals with their communities, with activities including: a befriending service to link volunteer ‘friends’ with beneficiaries, links into self-help groups (which contain people of similar age and who are experiencing similar issues), signposting to existing support activities taking place in the local community linked to economic, health, social care and emotional support services. A volunteer based locally works with each beneficiary to help them achieve the actions in their plan and help individuals maintain their connections with activities in the longer term.
Primary SDG goal: 3
Date outcomes contract signed: 2015-10
Start of service provision: 2015-07
Anticipated completion date: 2022-01
Actual completion date: 2022-06
Total investment commitment currency: GBP
Total investment commitment: 850000
Total investment commitment (USD): 1298611.063
Target population: Individuals who are over 50 and score: between eight and 12 on the loneliness scale; or seven on the scale and also demonstrate at least five of the enhanced risk factors including living alone, being single, divorced, never married and living on a low income.
Targeted number of service users or beneficiaries: 5100
Targeted unit type: Individual
Actual number of service users or beneficiaries engaged: 1571
Actual unit type: Individual
Notes: Note: 3000 people identified as lonely aged 50+ years; reduced to 1800 people after contract renegotiation in Spring 2016. Referral Route: ranges from primary care providers, social care services, social landlords, and other VCSE organisations, family and friends as well as self-referral. Further assessment: Qualitative reports and economic costs analysis by Ecorys and ATQ and Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at London School of Economics.