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Roy, Amrita and Marjorie - three older people

"For older people like us, this Christmas could be the loneliest of our lives"

By supporting Age UK, you can help give vulnerable older people the comfort they urgently need this Christmas.

At the close of what has been, for many, a terrifying and isolating year, older people are facing a Christmas like no other in living memory.

Living with the fear of coronavirus, and necessary but painful social distancing from friends and family, has placed enormous strain on even the most resilient of the older population. For those living on their own, the stress and anxiety has become almost unbearable.

 

Heart icon Did you know £5 could pay to answer a call to our advice line?

Through our expert services, your donation could help Age UK give vulnerable older people the information and reassurance during the pandemic and beyond.

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Together, we can help vulnerable older people get through their loneliest Christmas

For people like Roy and Amrita, who’ve lost their partners, Christmas can feel like just another day. Others like Marjorie, who are struggling with health problems on their own, dread that coronavirus will make this Christmas their loneliest ever.

“I'd like to go to sleep Christmas eve and not wake up until New Year’s Day and miss the whole thing.” – Marjorie, 98

Thankfully for older people like Roy, Amrita and Marjorie, Age UK is here to help. We’ve arranged for all 3 to receive weekly calls from befrienders as part of our Telephone Friendship Service. For older people experiencing loneliness, these calls are nothing short of a lifeline.

“It’s lovely to be able to just talk to someone, especially as I love to chat. I look forward to the calls very much.” – Roy, 80

Without support, thousands of older people will have no one this Christmas. Now more than ever, we must show our older generation that they’re not forgotten.

“Loneliness is awful. It can make you feel trapped. But with Age UK’s help, it can become more bearable.” – Amrita, 92

Age UK is determined to be there for the thousands of older people who urgently need someone to rely on this Christmas - but we can’t do this without donations from people like you.

Phone icon 225,000 older people often go a whole week without speaking to anyone

More than 850,000 older people could be spending this Christmas alone

We’re here for you too

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. 

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