With your help, Age UK can continue to reach out to more lonely, isolated older people with the support they so desperately need.
Older people have experienced a lot in their lives, but nothing like the extreme loneliness and unbearable isolation caused by the pandemic.
For 88-year-old Mary, and 90-year-old Jim, facing the pandemic on their own has pushed them to the brink.
‘People underestimate the awfulness of loneliness. I had nobody. I was completely alone.’ Mary, 88
When the pandemic began last year Jim felt like the walls were closing in. He had no one to call on for support, no family or friends to rely on.
The good news is that Jim called on Age UK. Now, he receives a regular call from our Telephone Friendship Service, helping him to feel connected with the world again.
1.4 million
1.4 million older people across the UK say that they have often or sometimes felt lonely
225,000
225,000 older people often go a whole week without speaking to anyone
400% increase
During the pandemic, we saw up to a 400% increase in demand for our telephone friendship services
Age UK needs to be here for older people and their loved ones.
Whether someone's struggling with chronic loneliness or needs expert advice to help them cope with the problems later life can bring, no one should feel they have no one to turn to.
But we can’t do this without help from people like you. Please help show lonely older people that we do listen and care, by donating to Age UK today.
Thank you.