Christmas is the Loneliest Time of Year for 95,000 Older Londoners

A new survey for Age UK’s No one should have no one to turn to campaign finds that Christmas is the loneliest time of the year for over 95,000 older people in London, with those who have been widowed feeling it the most.

Age UK’s research found that more than three-quarters (75%) of over 65s in the London agree that the first Christmas after losing someone you love is the hardest, and with up to 13,000 older people in the region estimated to face their first Christmas without their spouse, the Charity is calling on the public for support.

Across the UK, the research found that over 750,000 older widowed people often feel more lonely over Christmas than at any other time of the year; with over 200,000 older widows and widowers not looking forward to the festive season because they will be alone.

The campaign, No one should have no one to turn to, is shining a light on how tough this time of year can be for many older people, especially if they are on their own having lost their partner. As part of the campaign, the Charity has released a new report, You are not alone, which looks in more detail at what we know about the impacts of bereavement and shares some of the stories of those who have reached out to the Charity following a painful loss.

According to the Charity’s survey, more than 150,000 older people in London aren’t looking forward to Christmas this year , and for many, it brings back too many memories of people who have passed away and of happier times.

As well as raising awareness of these problems and encouraging people to support the older people around them, No one should have no one to turn to is asking the public to donate to Age UK London, so it can continue to be there for everyone who needs them.

Whilst most of us will sit down with family and friends to enjoy an annual Christmas Dinner this won’t be the case for everyone. In London, almost 85,000 older people will be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day this year, and across the UK around one in 10 of over 80s will be dining alone.

Loneliness can be and is experienced at any point in life, but people aged 50 and over in England are five times more likely to be often lonely if they are widowed compared to those who have a partner.

Paul Goulden, CEO at Age UK London said:

“Many of us look forward to Christmas in anticipation of having a lovely time with those we love, but unfortunately that’s not how it is for some older people, especially if they are already feeling sad and alone. Bereavement is a very common experience in later life but that doesn’t make it any easier to cope with, and Christmas is a particular challenge if you are facing it on your own, with just your memories and perhaps the television or a pet for company, to see you through.”

“Age UK London wants to be there for those who find themselves in this situation and for all those older people in the region who are feeling lonely or troubled in the run up to Christmas for any other reason too. That’s why we are urging everyone to get involved in the campaign and donate to help us be here for older people who literally have no one to turn to. Sadly, there are far too many of them in our society at the moment.”

Age UK London is working hard to combat loneliness through a range of campaigns to make London an Age-friendly City.

Older people and their families or friends looking for information and advice should contact their local Age UK in London, as should anyone looking to volunteer as befriender.

Age UK London is encouraging people to get behind the campaign and to donate to help ensure that the Charity’s essential services and support can continue to be there for older people and their families.

To find out how you can support Age UK London by donating go to: www.justgiving.com/ageuklondon or call 020 7820 6770.