For many older people, January is often the hardest month.
Families go back home, the fun of Christmas has gone, and the Christmas cake somehow doesn’t taste so good as time goes on. And then the temperature plummets. It’s been cold, then wet, then grey depending on where you live.
So it’s unsurprising that this is a time of year when many older people feel deeply alone, lost, isolated and in need of support. And because of that need for support, it’s been an incredibly busy start to Age UK’s 2025.
Concerns and challenges
It’s no secret that we live in tough times, and charities face many of the same challenges. Across the charity sector, we know that the impact of changes as a result of the Autumn Budget will put our services under considerable strain, just at the time when so many people need us.
Fortunately, like many charities, we do not rely on a single source of support. There are many ways to help Age UK, and many sources. Individual support through fundraising or shopping with us, funds from companies and trusts, and support for our commercial work all help to make a difference.
Right now, my biggest concern is how we can continue to help older people at the same level – or greater – when resources are so tight. So, in the midst of a very cold snap, I ventured to the Lake District to meet with our partners, Omaze.
Thanks to the funds raised, we know that our work to ensure older people are valued and included can continue in 2025.
An amazing result
I’m sure many of you will be familiar with the incredible Omaze houses, which customers can enter draws to win . It’s a powerful concept, and one which raises many millions for charities throughout the year. And in December last year, Age UK was Omaze’s charity partner.
It’s been a great partnership. We all worked hard to highlight the issue of loneliness and isolation among older people, and in particular how we help alleviate that through our superb Telephone Friendship Service, The Silver Line Helpline, and many local initiatives led by local Age UKs.
So it was a huge thrill to hear that Omaze customers had helped raise an incredible £5.25 million – their biggest total ever – for Age UK’s vital work in reducing loneliness.
At the big reveal, I met a number of older people who use the services of Age UK South Lakeland. People like Joan, who broke down in tears as she told me about her first Christmas on her own in 66 years following the death of her husband, and our storyteller Ken, who had had a great career in Sales and Marketing but had lost his sense of purpose and value.
Thanks to the funds raised, we know that our work to ensure older people really are valued and included can continue in 2025 – and we can be there for even more isolated older people with friendship and support. I’m incredibly grateful to the Omaze team and customers, as well as our own Age UK team, for making this happen.
