500,000 elderly face up to Christmas Day alone

HALF a million pensioners face spending Christmas alone as people do not know how to offer their help, a charity has warned.

Friends of the Elderly said two out of three people want to do more to help the 500,000 older people who will spend Christmas Day alone, but don’t know how.

It is urging people to do more to look out for elderly neighbours, as one support service, which matches people with Christmas Day events in their area, revealed that there will be no community get-togethers in vast parts of Yorkshire that could prevent people spending the day alone.

Community Christmas provides support and guidance to those wishing to set up events on Christmas Day, be it traditional lunches, tea dances or parties. It also runs a free listing service where people can find an event to attend or support. While more than 200 events have been listed across the country, swathes of the region are offering nothing, founder Caroline Billington said.

“People in Yorkshire will be struggling to find somewhere to go,” she said. “There’s nothing we know of in Sheffield, for example, Doncaster or Chesterfield – huge areas where there’s nothing to do if you’re alone. And while there may be smaller events going on, if we don’t know about it, it’s unlikely that the people they are trying to cater for do too.”

Friends of the Elderly’s research showed that 62 per cent of people felt they could do more to support older people at this time of year, but a third said they don’t have the time or don’t know how.

The charity’s chief executive, Steve Allen, said simple things like wishing a neighbour Merry Christmas or having a brief chat could “make the world of difference to an older person” who has no family and friends around.

“Loneliness is a big problem but we know that it will make a real difference if everyone simply gets to know the people who live around them and look out for each other where they can,” he said.

“We want to stress that people don’t have to go out of their way to get involved, which is why many of the things we suggest can be done as part of their daily routine. For example, picking up Christmas groceries for an older neighbour or writing and delivering an extra Christmas card.”

But Community Christmas has shown that making a bigger effort can have a lasting impact. While many charities, church groups and community centres have already planned their events, there is still time for volunteers to arrange more, especially in areas where no events are already listed, such as parts of South Yorkshire, York and Wakefield.

“There are a lot of organisations out there that offer Christmas lunches or parties throughout December, but not on Christmas Day, when people might be feeling at their most alone,” Ms Billington said.

“When you are dealing with potentially half a million older people who will be alone on Christmas Day, 200 events isn’t enough. We need so many more events.”

To find an event near you, or to register a new event, visit www. communitychristmas.org.uk.