Make life a little less lonely for so many

WINTER is already a challenging time for the 1.4 million older people who live alone. The added emotional toll of the festive season can make people feel very lonely indeed.

Many of the older people who attend Re-engage’s free, monthly tea parties are completely alone and have experienced the loss of family and support networks as they have aged. Throughout the year our aim is for all older people to have the opportunity to make friends and forge companionship – and Christmas time is no exception.

We firmly believe no older person should be isolated at this time of year, which is why we host a Community Christmas directory, Community Christmas: events and activities for older people (reengage. org.uk).

This is where your local businesses, organisations and individuals can list any festive events they are holding between December 17 and January 1 open to people aged 75 and over.

These could include carol singing, quizzes, dinners, sharing mulled wine and mince pies or any other suitable event.

Over the last few years, hundreds of organisations and individuals went the extra mile to ensure our older people would not be alone at Christmas despite the challenges of lockdowns. Chris, 24, raised funds to provide Christmas dinner for ten at his local pub.

And Sheryl ingeniously converted her launderette into a dining room where her lunch guests enjoyed turkey and watched the Queen’s speech. Other events took place in church halls, community buildings, cafes, and arts centres.

For most of us Christmas is a time of celebration with family and friends. With your help we can ensure older people are not left out.

Meryl Davies CEO Re-engage, Bell Yard, London