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We cannot let older people struggle alone this winter

Locked down and lonely in the depths of winter, it’s no wonder so many older people are now saying ‘I don’t know how much longer I can cope.’ With your support, we can be there.

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With the country in the grip of a horrifying wave of coronavirus and the prospect of a long hard lockdown, this winter is challenging for us all.

But for those older people going through this crisis alone, shielding or isolated at home, the loneliness and anxiety has become increasingly hard to bear. Sadly, many have lost hope and hit breaking point.

Together, we can – and will – help vulnerable older people through this winter. But we can only do that with your help.

The difference we're making with your support

Since 16 November, we’ve supported more than 1116,658 Friendship Calls

Since 16 November, we’ve supported more than 116,658 Friendship Calls

Since 16 November, we’ve answered 50,337 calls to the Age UK Advice Line

Since 16 November, we’ve answered 50,337 calls to the Age UK Advice Line

We sent out more than 17,000 Winter Wrapped Up guides last winter to help older people stay safe and well

Thanks to you, we're making sure older people aren't alone in depths of the hardest winter ever

We're a lifeline for older people like Beryl

A year of isolation, anxiety and now months of cold and darkness had left widowed Beryl, 81, lonelier than ever. 

"I'm very alone. It's just so sad. I often sit here and think 'God, what's going to happen to me?'"

Thanks to supporters like you, Beryl now receives regular friendship calls, giving her hope on even the bleakest days. 

"Whenever I put the phone down after a call with Rebecca, I feel so much better. It goes such a long way."

Your support could help transform the life of a vulnerable older person like Beryl, showing them that - no matter what - they have someone to turn to.

"The calls are definitely a bright spark in my week. I guess it’s having another person who is interested in me. That’s wonderful."

Connie, 93

"Age UK is important. They give people a lot of information and reach out to people when they need help."

Bridgit, 84

Here are just some of the ways Age UK supports older people, thanks to kind donations

Staying safe and well through winter

We provide a range of information and advice to help older people stay healthy through the winter months - with this year especially important. Our free Winter Wrapped Up guide provides information on topics such as staying warm at home and avoiding illnesses. Meanwhile, our website covers everything from getting help with bills to avoiding slips and falls.

An older man wearing a facemask receiving the vaccine

Providing the latest guidance on coronavirus

We work hard to make sure older people have the latest information, advice and insight into coronavirus, and what it means for them. Right now, our webpages and blogs on the COVID-19 vaccination programme are helping older people and those that care for them understand the process of being vaccinated and how to spot false or misleading information.

£25 could pay to answer five calls to our advice line from older people needing information and reassurance to cope over the winter period

£50 could help to pay for regular befriending calls to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities

£100 could help us campaign to ensure older people's voices are at the heart of government, as society moves forward

See what's happening on social media 

Thank you for helping us be there for older people

Your support can give an older person the help they so urgently need this winter.

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