Age UK issues urgent call to end loneliness crisis as it reveals 1.5 million older people will be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day

• The Charity has released new research revealing just how lonely this festive period will be for many of the older generation
• Forming part of its Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight campaign, Age UK hopes to highlight the issue and raise funds needed to support its vital services
• Several stars have joined the rallying cry, including Brian Cox, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Judi Dench and Miriam Margolyes

As part of its recently launched campaign – A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight – Age UK has released heart-breaking new statistics revealing the true extent of loneliness and social isolation amongst the older generation this Christmas. The Charity is urging everyone who can to donate to its winter campaign so that it can continue supporting older people when they need it most.

Loneliness and social isolation are issues all year, but winter, and Christmas especially, can be particularly tough. With routine services winding down, shops closing early or shutting completely, colder weather, shorter days and changes in people’s health, it becomes harder for many to sustain social connections, whether they celebrate Christmas or not.

Often painted as a season of joy, togetherness, and non-stop celebrations, Christmas is known for family feasts, childhood magic, and friendly reunions. Yet Age UK’s new research highlights the stark reality of just how lonely this time of year is for older people:

• One in two (6.3 million) say they don’t feel the joy they once felt at Christmas time
• One in three (4 million) won’t be putting up a Christmas tree
• One in five (2.6 million) say they miss the sound of laughter at Christmas time
• 1 million are more isolated at Christmas than any other time of the year

The outlook for older people doesn’t get much brighter on Christmas Day either:

• 5 million will be eating dinner alone
• 760,000 won’t bother getting dressed
• 670,000 won’t see or speak to anyone

Age UK’s research also delves into the reasons why older people are often overlooked at Christmas. Sadly, many young and midlife adults assume older people are too fragile to get involved or that they prefer peace and quiet. While for some it may be a restful time of solitude, this isn’t the case for every older person, in fact Christmas can be one of the most important times of the year to make sure those in later life feel included and valued.

Many people aged 18-64 also said they feel that being around older people forces others to think about their own ageing. It's no secret that getting older brings lots of challenges, both physically and emotionally, and this time of year can exacerbate those experiences. For 11 million older people, Christmas is a sad reminder of fond memories and 5.9 million find it difficult due to remembering loved ones who have passed away.

While many, who still have this next chapter of life ahead of them, might not want to think about the challenges their future may bring, Age UK is working hard to be there for older people like Audrey, 96, a former doctor’s receptionist from Bedfordshire, who uses the Charity’s Telephone Friendship Service.

Audrey said: “I met John after his family moved in next door to my grandparents in Swindon. One day, John asked me, “would you come to the pictures with me tonight?”. I said yes, and that was that. We married in 1951, went to Bournemouth for our honeymoon and had a lovely week.”

Sadly, John suffered from a malignant brain tumour and, after two operations, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the doctors at Barts Hospital finally told Audrey in 1982 there was nothing more they could do for him.

“After he passed, I felt alone”, Audrey continued, “so my son arranged for me to try Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service. That’s how I met Andrew, who I’ve been speaking to every Thursday morning for almost three years now. We talk about everything under the sun. We know all about each other’s families – it’s the highlight of my week.

“I haven’t had a lot of male friends, apart from John and my son. Andrew has just filled a void. If you’re thinking about signing up for the Telephone Friendship Service, definitely do it. It has made me feel more alive again.”

Age UK is dedicated to creating meaningful connections and providing expert support to older people through a range of national and local services - a true lifeline during the festive season and all year round. This includes Age UK’s national Telephone Friendship Service, which matches older people with a volunteer who they share similar interests with so they can get to know each other through weekly calls. During Christmas week last year (24^th – 31^st December), Age UK volunteers made over 70,000 minutes’ worth of calls to their telephone friends. Other services include:

• The Silver Line Helpline, founded by Dame Esther Rantzen and now part of Age UK, which is free and available 24 hours a day, including Christmas Day, for any older person who would like a friendly chat. The Silver Line Helpline answered 3,353 calls over the Christmas week last year, equating to 45,860 minutes of conversation and support to older people.
• Age UK’s free and confidential national Advice Line, which supports those who may be struggling with costs this winter and need some information and advice. It’s open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, providing friendly and expert advice on issues like loneliness, bereavement, and benefits, as well as challenges with mental and physical health and social care. The experts staffing the Advice Line answered over 1,800 calls during Christmas week last year.
• Over half a million older people also rely on local social groups at Christmas, such as coffee mornings or festive lunches. Events like these are hosted across the country by over 100 local Age UKs, which offer in-person friendship services, activities, outings, get-togethers, parties and more throughout December and beyond.

Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: “We know that the feeling of joy, companionship and belonging that our national services and local Age UKs provide is truly life-changing for so many older people at this time of year.

“For instance, half of the older population (6.8 million) hope to receive a call from someone on Christmas Day, and one in five (2.3 million) feel comforted knowing there are helplines available if they need a chat or some support over the festive period. This is why it’s never been more important to donate to Age UK - funds raised help us continue our vital work tackling loneliness and being there for those who have no one else to turn to.

“Your donation could bring comfort, friendship, and care to an older person facing loneliness this winter. From friendly weekly calls to local lunch clubs, we’re here to make sure no one spends winter alone. But we can’t do it without you. Help us tackle the loneliness you don’t see. Donate today.”

Dame Judi Dench, Age UK ambassador, adds: “Christmas is meant to be a time of light, warmth and being together. Yet for so many older people, it can be a time of silence - days without conversation or company.

"That’s why I’m proud to support Age UK this Christmas. With your help, they can bring a meaningful connection to older people. They work locally and nationally to give comfort and support where it’s needed most. Let's act now and support Age UK and help make this winter a little better for those who are spending it alone.”

To donate to Age UK’s A Crisis in Plain Sight campaign, please visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/appeal.

Anyone who needs support, who is worried about an older relative or friend or wants to find out more about Age UK’s friendship services, can get in touch by calling the Age UK Advice free of charge, on 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm), or visit ageuk.org.uk. Any older person looking for a cheerful chat day or night can call Age UK’s Silver Line Helpline, on 0800 4 70 80 90.

Notes to editors:

Additional ambassador quotes:

Dame Joanna Lumley, Age UK ambassador, said: “Christmas is such a special time for so many of us- full of warm memories, laughter and togetherness. It's truly devastating that this isn't the situation for so many older people, who often spend it completely alone. No laughter, no season's greetings, no phone calls - the silence can be deafening. This is a crisis hidden in plain sight.

"Do something special this year, do it for those who have no one - help Age UK solve the crisis people don’t see and donate today."

Brian Cox, Age UK ambassador, said: “Loneliness at Christmas is a tragedy we don’t talk about enough. Far too many older people are left spending the season in silence, when it should be a time of warmth, connection and joy. That’s why I’m supporting Age UK. They’re making sure older people feel seen, valued and most importantly not forgotten.

"Together we can help older people this winter, and more than that, we can help to create a society where ageing is not something feared, but something supported, respected and celebrated. Let’s tackle the crisis too many people don't see - and let’s change the way we age."

Miriam Margolyes, Age UK ambassador, said: "Christmas can be miserable for old people, especially if they have no family. I'm a big fan of what Age UK does, especially at Christmas, to make it a happier time.

"Growing older shouldn’t mean disappearing into the background - we need to be seen, heard and celebrated. That's what Age UK is striving for - they're changing how we perceive age.

"But without your help, Age UK can't carry on their superb work. Please, have a look at what they do and if you can, donate to help their work."

Research:

Yonder conducted an online and telephone survey on behalf of Age UK. A sample of 2659 UK adults aged 65+ and 6210 UK adults aged 18-64 were surveyed between the 31^st October and 10^th November 2025. Responses were weighted to be representative of the population of the UK. All statistics are drawn from this polling. Targets for quotas and weights are taken from the latest ONS Census data (2021/22). Yonder is a founding member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For further information see http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org/.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).