Blog: World Kindness Day

Research from our Big Survey revealed that around 94,000 over 65s in Scotland said they wouldn’t have got through the pandemic without the kindness of strangers.

That’s the equivalent of one older person on every street in Scotland who was helped by a neighbour.

We’re delighted to see this sense of community spirit continue and, although we are no longer in lockdown and the majority of public health restrictions have been lifted, there's still lots of ways we can all continue to look out for each other.

13 November is World Kindness Day, promoting the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. Compassion for others is what binds us all together, so it’s the perfect time to reach out to those around us who might be feeling lonely and isolated.

Keep in touch

Whether it’s meeting up in person, heading out for a walk together, or catching up over a phone or video call with those who live further away, it’s so important to keep in touch and make sure loved ones know they have someone to turn to.

If you’re looking for a sign to call an older friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while, look no further. Pick up the phone – you’ll be glad you did!

Don’t forget snail mail! Everyone loves getting letters and postcards, or just a note through the door.

Reach out to those around you

Often, neighbours are people we see almost every day but might never have said more than a few words to.

Especially for older people living alone, a chat on the doorstep, invitation to have a cup of tea together, or even just a knock at the door to check in can make all the difference.

Lend a hand

You could offer to drop off shopping or collect repeat prescriptions for an older neighbour or relative, or offer company when they head out to the supermarket or pharmacy.

Although no longer shielding, some older people might be feeling anxious about getting back to socialising. By starting small – with a weekly shopping trip for example – confidence will return gradually.

Volunteer

Something we couldn’t do without at Age Scotland is the kindness of our volunteer teams, they’re an essential part of our services supporting older people in Scotland.

We’re currently recruiting new volunteers for our Friendship Service and Comradeship Circles. So, if you enjoy having a blether, have a couple of hours to spare each week and would like to make a difference to older people's lives across Scotland, we'd be delighted to have you on board!

Our Friendship Service provides weekly calls to older people across Scotland, while our Comradeship Circles offer older members of the ex-service community the opportunity to enjoy regular group camaraderie by telephone. Just having the opportunity to chat to someone kind and friendly can be all it takes to change someone’s day for the better.

Visit www.age.scot/volunteer to find out more or give us a call on 0333 32 32 400, we'd love to hear from you.

A little kindness goes a long way

As days get colder and darker, winter can be a lonely time of year, especially for the tens of thousands of older people who face Christmas on their own. These might seem like small things on the surface, but they can really help lift spirits.