Age UK has launched its Christmas campaign, Together, we’re not alone, and is calling on support and donations to help those facing the festive period by themselves.
Loneliness can become more common as we get older due to life changes such as the bereavement of a partner, increased mobility issues or health complications. Many also feel the need to sacrifice their social spending to be able to afford the rising cost of household bills, especially following the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Last year, Age UK found that nearly 1.4 million older people said they felt more isolated at Christmas than any other time of the year[i], while a similar number told Age UK that they would be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day[ii].
However, Age UK’s research also shows that change is possible, with nearly a quarter of those over 65 (3.1 million) agreeing that just a phone call or a visit from a loved one, friend or neighbour would make Christmas easier for them[iii].
That’s why donating to Age UK’s Together, we’re not alone campaign is so important. Funds raised will help the Charity to continue its vital work in tackling loneliness amongst older people, by supporting its free, national services, including its Telephone Friendship Service, The Silver Line Helpline and Advice Line, all of which are crucial for those who have no one else to turn to.
More simple, practical ways we can all help to combat loneliness this Christmas:
Sharing time together: Check in regularly with your older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see how they’re feeling and find out if they need anything. Invite them round for a coffee or lunch. If you’re unable to visit in person there’s still plenty you can do to show you care – a phone or video call, making homemade cards, letters or even small gifts.
Giving out useful numbers: Encourage older people to use Age UK Advice (0800 169 65 65) for practical information and advice, or for a cheerful chat, day or night, they can call The Silver Line Helpline (0800 4 70 80 90).
Read and share Age UK’s new Loneliness Guide: There’s lots of useful information available on the Age UK website, including the Charity’s new Loneliness Guide. This guide brings together discussions held at various focus groups and covers the topics of what loneliness is, what might help those feeling lonely, what to do if you know someone who is feeling lonely, how to take that next step, and the ways Age UK can help. It can be read here.
Local Age UKs: Last year, 2.8 million older people said taking part in a festive activity with others would make Christmas easier for them[iv]. The Age UK network of 125 local charities, which reach most of England and also includes Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland, host a variety of social activities and groups, including things like walking, tennis, cooking, and knitting, as well as Christmas parties and lunches! To find out what’s on in your area visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/.
Volunteer for Age UK: Christmas is a great time to get involved and give your time to charity. Age UK is reliant on the generous support of its telephone volunteers who provide vital companionship to older people all year round. The Charity’s shop volunteers help to raise much-needed funds to support its work. Please note that most of our volunteering opportunities have minimum commitment periods, to ensure we can provide consistent and quality services to older people. To find out more visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/volunteer.
Age UK Telephone Friendship Service user, Ted, 89, first began to experience loneliness when his wife of 67 years developed dementia. She was moved into a care home and sadly passed away a couple of years ago: “When Jess went, it was so lonely. She was my life. We did everything together. I miss being able to go into a room and give her a little cuddle and a kiss.
“Age UK is so important. If I’ve got a problem, I know I can phone them up and they will be there for me. I look forward to the call with my Telephone Friend, Lisa, every week. If I’m feeling down, she takes me out of myself. I organise my dinner around it so we can have a good chat. It’s a lifeline really.”
Dame Judi Dench, Age UK ambassador, said: “The idea of being completely alone and isolated at a time when so many people are coming together with their nearest and dearest breaks my heart. No older person should feel like they don’t have anybody to talk to which is why I’m supporting Age UK’s ‘Together, we’re not alone’ campaign. Please donate to Age UK if you can this Christmas. Your donations will truly help to change lives!”
The impact of Age UK’s national services over Christmas 2023:
Age UK volunteers made over 11,000 minutes’ worth of Telephone Friendship calls on Christmas Day and Boxing Day alone last year. This service matches older people with a volunteer who they share similar interests or hobbies with, to really get to know each other and develop a friendship through weekly conversations.
The Silver Line Help Line, founded by Dame Esther Rantzen and now part of Age UK, is free to call and available 24 hours a day for any older person who would like a friendly chat. In the week of the 24th – 31st December last year, it answered over 4,000 calls.
The Charity’s free and confidential Advice Line, which is staffed by friendly people who are subject experts on issues surrounding pensions and social care amongst many other things, also answered over 2,000 calls during the week of Christmas last year – continuing to help older people through any situation they might have been facing at the time.
Age UK can’t be there without the public’s support, which is why the Charity is asking everybody to donate what they can this Christmas. Together, the Charity promises to help change the lives of older people. Together, we’re not alone.
To donate, please visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/christmasappeal. Age UK has also launched a new Loneliness Guide which features the Charity’s latest information and advice on the subject as well as bringing together lived experiences from different focus groups. This can be found here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/loneliness-guide
[i] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 11.14% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I feel more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year’ which equates to 1,395,650 people (11.14% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.
[ii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 11.47% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I’ll be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day’ which equates to 1,438,520 people (11.47% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.
[iii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 24.34% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘A phone call or a visit from a loved one/friend/neighbour’ when asked the question ‘What would make Christmas easier for you?’, which equates to 3,053,281 people (24.34% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.
[iv] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 23.01% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘Taking part in a festive activity with others e.g. Christmas lunch’ when asked the question ‘What would make Christmas easier for you?’, which equates to 2,886,566 people (23.01% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.