Help us fight loneliness this winter

We have launched a new appeal to help support our fight against loneliness amongst older people. This Winter we are asking those who can afford it to donate £5 to the appeal. Each donation we receive will make a real difference, allowing us to make more visits to older people in their own homes.

It is hard to think about someone living alone and without the joy of regular human contact, but something as simple as befriending can help alleviate the loneliness. A simple phone call or a visit from someone who cares, can mean the world, making their day or even their week.

Loneliness is a feeling that can affect anyone of any age and can come in many different forms. Some people might feel lonely even when around others, whilst others may feel lonely from a lack of social contact with other people. It can be a particular problem for older people and can be caused by a number of factors.

We hear from many people we support about the impacts of retiring from work, the feeling of getting older and weaker, and the experience of losing friends and family. A lack of mobility due to health issues, moving to a new area, and a lack of money to access social activities or hobbies can also play a significant part in causing loneliness.

According to Age UK, more than 2 million people over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. An awful statistic that can have long term consequences, as loneliness is closely linked to both our mental and physical wellbeing.

Research has shown it can have a negative impact on older people’s physical and mental health, especially if they’ve been feeling lonely for a long time. The isolation associated with loneliness can contribute to a decline in overall physical health, making older individuals more vulnerable to various age-related illnesses. I’m sure many of us can relate to seeing a grandparent decline in health after their partner has died. However, it doesn’t have to be all ‘doom and gloom’, there is much that can be done.

We understand that it is often hard for an older person to admit to feeling lonely, so the fight to combat loneliness is a key challenge. Our Companions project and Christmas Card Appeal both encourage people to write letters and cards to older people, forming valuable relationships. We also operate a community hub and host coffee morning, to encourage older people to come together to talk and socialise. We have also worked on the problem of digital exclusion by hosting digital skills sessions.

Our flagship ‘Reaching Out’ programme offers telephone and in-person befriending to older people. We have trained volunteers supporting people across Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taff, but we want to do more. Donate £5 this winter and support our work. You can text LONELY to 70480 to donate £5, or visit our appeal page.