Blog: Cartoon Cavalcade star shares his experience of community kindness

Random acts of kindness can make a big difference to our day.

In our latest edition of Advantage Magazine, former STV children’s star Glen Michael (95), is encouraging people to call Age Scotland’s friendship line if they are feeling lonely and shares how thoughtful neighbours helped brighten up his day.

Despite still being recognised in the street, the Cartoon Cavalcade legend said that anyone could find themselves feeling alone behind closed doors. But he said that thoughtful neighbours had helped to brighten up an extremely difficult year.

Age Scotland’s Big Survey found that two thirds of people in their 70s received offers of help from neighbours last year, rising to three quarters among those in their 80s. Only one in five had contact with others every day. But one ray of hope in a difficult year has been the way that communities have come together to help those who were more vulnerable or on their own. Almost half of people aged 50 and over received offers of help from their neighbours, 19% from other local people, and 18% from community groups. Older people living alone were most likely to say they appreciated offers of help. Mr Michael, who now lives in Ayrshire, delighted generations of children with Glen Michael’s Cartoon Cavalcade, which ran for more than 26 years. Together with his trusty dogs and Paladin the talking lamp, he introduced young viewers to famous cartoons. But despite having close friends and family, he still found himself experiencing loneliness after the death of his wife Beryl.

He said: “I know what it’s like to be lonely. My wife died in 2015 and all of a sudden I was on my own. I’m used to talking to people, and often get stopped in the street by people who recognise me. But still, when you go home and lock the front door, you are on your own. It’s quite frightening. “I found myself just sitting on my own, looking at the TV, or going out for a cup of coffee just to speak to someone. You can have all the modern technology in the world, but it doesn’t help if you’re lonely. It’s people that matter. The only way you can feel some sense of being is to talk to someone.

“I know lockdown has been really tough for so many people. We’ve got a village shop where people usually go out and chat to each other – it’s the hub of the village and quite wonderful. But we lost opportunities like that. “I’m very lucky to have a good community. I had a knock on the door the other day, and a neighbour had left a jar of marmalade on my doorstep for my breakfast! Something like that can make a huge difference to your day.”

He has joined Age Scotland to encourage people to call our friendship line if they are feeling alone. Set up in 2020, anyone can call for a blether with a volunteer, with many receiving regular weekly calls. Mr Michael added: “I think the Age Scotland friendship line is a wonderful idea. It’s great to know there’s a friendly voice on the line if you are feeling on your own.”

How to help older people in your community

We’re urging people to check-in on older people in their community this winter. There are lots of ways you can do your bit to brighten up someone's day or help lonely or socially isolated older people. Here’s some tips.

Chat and connect - Small talk can make a big difference. Stop and talk to an older neighbour if you pass them on the street or knock on their door if they live alone. Chatting about the weather, or what your weekend was like can really make someone’s day. Phone your older relatives and friends to let them know you are thinking about them and ask if they need anything.

Lend a hand - Pavements can often be slippery during winter. Why not ask an older relative or neighbour if they need any help with tasks such as shopping, posting letters, picking up prescriptions and medicines, or dog-walking? Show you care - Everyone loves getting cards and postcards, or just a note through the door. Keep people’s spirits up and let them know you are there if they need help by leaving a note with your contact details. Older people often need a hand with some household chores like changing a lightbulb or cooking for themselves, so a nice gesture might be to take round an extra plate of hot home-cooked food.

We are here for you. Call our friendship line on 0800 12 44 222 on weekdays between 9am and 5pm to chat to one of our friendly team.