Now more than ever, we need your support
By donating to Age UK today, you can help give older people the comfort and support many so urgently need this Christmas.
At the close of what’s been, for many, a terrifying and isolating year, more than 850,000 older people could be spending Christmas alone. Now more than ever, Age UK needs your support to be here for those who need us most.
Every year, millions of older people call on Age UK for practical and emotional support. The Age UK Advice Line gives answers and reassurance to older people, while our Telephone Friendship Service provides vital companionship to those experiencing loneliness.
This Christmas, that support has never been more needed. Now more than ever, we need your help to be there for those who need us most.
When Amrita’s husband died, she found herself feeling very alone.
Amrita has found the pandemic particularly difficult as she loves to be around other people. She told us that at times she resorted to talking to herself for company.
Our Telephone Friendship Service has helped Amrita rediscover the joy of conversation. She told us that as soon as she picks up the phone with her befriender, she barely stops talking!
"Me and my befriender, we get on like a house on fire! Loneliness is awful. It can make you feel trapped. But if you can do something about it, like use the Age UK Telephone Friendship service, it can become more bearable."
Age UK is determined to be there for Amrita and the thousands of older people like her who urgently need someone to rely on this Christmas - but we can’t do this without donations from people like you.
The Age UK Telephone Friendship service gives older people the joy of a regular phone call from a friendly voice. At the height of the first lockdown, we saw a 300% increase in demand for this service and we’re braced for another increase this Christmas.
We provide answers and reassurance to older people when they need it most - 96% of callers say we make a difference. Over the festive period, we'll be here every day for those who have no one else, giving help such as financial advice for how to stay warm through winter.
If you or someone you know needs support, Age UK is here for you. Call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 6565, 8am to 7pm, every day of the year, or find information and advice on our website.
Age UK provides a range of services and your gift will go where the need is greatest. Age UK is a registered charity, registered charity no 1128267.