TV legend Glen backs bid to tackle loneliness
Children’s star tells of heartache after wife’s death
TV legend Glen Michael is backing a campaign to tackle loneliness in the community.
The former star of Cartoon Cavalcade is getting behind the importance of support from good neighbours.
It comes as Age Scotland promote the messgae on to this years World Friendship Day.
Glen, 95, from Maidens has shared his own experience of loneliness and how a close community helped him after his wife, Beryl, died. Despite still being recognised in the street, the former STV star said that anyone could find themselves feeling alone behind closed doors.
But he said that thoughtful neighbours had helped to brighten up an extremely difficult year. Glen, who delighted generations of children with his show which ran for more than 26 years. said: “I know what it’s like to be lonely.
“My wife died in 2015 and all of a sudden I was on my own.
“I’m used to talking to people, and often get stopped in the street by people who recognise me.
“But still, when you go home and lock the front door, you are on your own. It’s quite frightening. “I found myself just sitting on my own, looking at the TV, or going out for a cup of coffee just to speak to someone.
“You can have all the modern technology in the world, but it doesn’t help if you’re lonely.
“It’s people that matter. The only way you can feel some sense of being is to talk to someone.
“I know lockdown has been really tough for so many people.
“We’ve got a village shop where people usually go out and chat to each other - it’s the hub of the village and quite wonderful.
“But we lost opportunities like that.
“I’m very lucky to have a good community. I had a knock on the door the other day, and a neighbour had left a jar of marmalade on my doorstep for my breakfast!
“Something like that can make a huge difference to your day.”
Glen has joined Age Scotland to encourage people to call their Friendship Line if they are feeling alone.Set up last year, anyone can call for a blether with a volunteer, with many receiving regular weekly calls.
Call 0800 12 44 222 on weekdays between 9am and 5pm to talk.