It's the most wonderful time of the year
Published: 10/12/2021
For a lot of people, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year”, it’s a time to celebrate, to have quality time with the ones you love, to spread joy and be happy; but for many of the elderly it doesn’t work out quite like this.
With Age UK finding, almost 1.5 million elderly people feel lonelier during the Christmas period than any other time of year.
So, what can we do to help?
December is a busy time for everybody, but there are small things we can all do to help.
There are several local and nationwide charities and organisations that run initiatives throughout the festive period to give support and show they are loved, and people do care.
Do you have a spare plate?
We all tend to overspend at Christmas, buy a little more food than we need and end up with a mountain of food till gone New Year! Why not make an extra plate or two and drop round to a neighbour and friend who may be spending Christmas alone this year? The Alexandra in Wimbledon has taken this to a whole new level. For the past 11 years, Mike and Sarah owners of The Alexandra started pouring free pints to anyone spending Christmas alone, and for the past 6 years, they extended this Christmas Gift to a traditional Christmas dinner, pigs in blankets, sprouts, the lot!
Do you have some spare time?
I know Christmas can be an extremely busy time of year, especially if you’re working over the festive period but for those who aren’t can you spare a moment? Maybe site has closed for a few weeks, or the offices are shut? Maybe you could give a day or two or even a few hours to help in the local community. Team London is the ultimate search tool for volunteering opportunities.
The Age UK Telephone Friendship Service gives older people the vital gift of a weekly phone call. Last Christmas, they supported 28,345 telephone friendship calls to older people.
The YMCA hold annual Christmas dinners and community lunches with Centres locally in Surbiton, Kingston, Hampton and Wimbledon why not volunteer?
Rotary Club holds a massive Christmas Day lunch and tea party for over-65s living in Wandsworth across Christmas Eve to Boxing day. You can do just one, two, or all three days
Rennage is a charity for elderly people vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. Reenage’s Community Christmas and its volunteers, help elderly people discover local Christmas events. In Warren Street they will be holding Christmas Carols, maybe you like to sing?
Maybe you need some extra support this Christmas?
Are you a full-time Carer and would like a little respite leading up to extra? Or you may need some companionship with doing your Christmas shopping? At Right at Home we offer a variety of services.
If you’d like to discuss our care options, then please get in touch.
