Charities invite the elderly to 'come dine with them' this Christmas

Organisations such as charity and care provider Abbeyfield, the Royal Voluntary Service and Friends of the Elderly are encouraging care homes and other organisations to host events and share food this Christmas, inviting in isolated older people for a feast of fun, festivities and companionship.

This year, like many previous years they are inviting older people to participate in the Christmas experience and enjoy food and laughter with company, which older people can find hard to come by when living alone during the festive season.

A recent survey of older people published by the Royal Voluntary Service estimates that more than 375,0000 older people will spend Christmas Day alone this year, while more than half a million older people felt that Christmas Day was the loneliest time of the year.

Some of the people surveyed said they felt ashamed or as though they were a burden and ten per cent said they were embarrassed about spending Christmas day alone.

Forty-four per cent said they didn’t expect to see anyone on the day, while forty-one per cent of those surveyed said they wished they had someone to spend the day with.

The Coping at Christmas campaign, created by Abbeyfield Society is inviting over 55s into over 500 of their care homes and houses across the UK to share free Christmas meals, cake and companionship in a warm and friendly environment, when they may otherwise spend Christmas alone.

Chief executive of Abbeyfield Society, Natasha Singarayer, said: “Food is such a huge part of the festive experience and sharing this while chatting and laughing in company should be part and parcel of Christmas for everyone.

"Sadly, for so many older people this is not the case. That’s why Coping at Christmas is such an important campaign. It offers those precious elements of a family Christmas which make a vital difference to older people who otherwise face the prospect of spending Christmas alone.”

The results of a recent survey by Abbeyfield revealed that 89 per cent of older people felt that company was crucial to having a good Christmas, while 73 per cent of those asked said they felt that sharing food was also a key ingredient to a successful Christmas.

Welsh singer and TV personality and patron of Abbeyfield, Aled Jones, most known for singing The Snowman theme ‘Walking in the Air’, is backing this year’s campaign. He said: “Imagine Christmas Day without Christmas dinner. For many older people who live on their own, that is their reality.

“Thanks to Abbeyfield’s Coping at Christmas campaign, it doesn’t have to be. They are throwing open their doors to offer lovely food, lots of Christmas activities and companionship – all things that can make a huge difference to older people’s quality of life at any time of the year, but no more so than at Christmas.

“I’m delighted to be supporting Coping at Christmas 2015 and will be spreading the message far and wide. Abbeyfield is offering the hand of friendship and lots of fun festive events, so older people know they don’t have to be alone this Christmas.”

Grandmother Elizabeth is 90 and was widowed 40 years ago. Her children are grown up with families of their own, living in different places across the country.

Elizabeth has chronic mobility problems and isn’t able to leave her home very often. For the last two years, she has attended her local Abbeyfield House and enjoyed Christmas with company, eating a home-cooked Christmas lunch - something she wouldn’t usually bother to cook for herself at home. Most importantly for Elizabeth, it allows her to meet other people in a similar situation, enjoying conversation and making new friends on Christmas Day.

She commented: “It made all the difference to me. It was such a relief to know you were going to be somewhere with people around you, not spending it alone and pretending it was just another day.”

“I enjoy it so much. I like to socialise and talk with people. Having somewhere like Abbeyfield to go to at Christmas is such a wonderful idea. Unfortunately at this time of year I don’t have anyone around me any more – I would be completely alone without Abbeyfield.

"Christmas time meant lonely days for me - you’ll find a lot of old folk say that. Coming to Abbeyfield has changed that for me. The food is lovely, but what matters most is that you sit and you eat with company.”

The campaign follows a successful Christmas advertising campaign by John Lewis and Age UK, highlighting the number of older people who spend Christmas alone each year, and recent reports revealing that loneliness could be a key factor in premature deaths in older people.

Similarly, Friends of the Elderly are supporting the Community Christmas campaign as they believe that no older person living in the UK should spend Christmas Day alone, unless they want to be.

They are encouraging communities across the UK to provide companionship to older people on Christmas Day by organising community Christmas lunch events, where older people are encouraged to meet with others at a local pub or restaurant, or meet for tea and cake.

These events give people the opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new ones, creating bonds within local communities that last into the new year.

Friends of the Elderly and Community Christmas are encouraging people to support their ‘Be a Friend’ campaign by organising a Christmas activity so no older person spends the festive season completely alone, unless they choose to be.

The Community Christmas website includes ideas and tips for organising a Christmas event, including, a film screening, inviting a group of older people round for a glass of sherry and a mince pie, or taking part in a Christmas Day walk.

In addition, their website contains a searchable map where users can locate their nearest Community Christmas event.

For more information about Abbeyfield’s Coping at Christmas campaign and to find your nearest Abbeyfield House, visit: https://www.abbeyfield.com/coping-at-christmas/

For information on organising or finding your local Community Christmas event, visit: http://communitychristmas.org.uk/get-involved/events-and-activities/ or for the Royal Voluntary Service: http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/get-help