Test news article

No one should have no one

No matter what your age, being loved and cared for is important to all of us.
But during Christmas the companionship and support of friends and family seems to mean even more than usual – which is why loneliness feels even harsher.

At Age UK [INSERT LOCAL PARTNER NAME], we believe no one should have no one. Not at Christmas. Not ever.

Yet for [140,000 older people in the North of England / 60,000 older people in the Midlands / 40,000 older people in London / 55,000 older people in the South East / 70,000 older people in the South West – DELETE AS APPROPRIATE] loneliness is a daily reality. And we don’t just mean at Christmas.

Feeling invisible
Across England, 1.9million older people often feel ignored or invisible and the festive season can often serve to enhance that loneliness and isolation at a time synonymous with family and togetherness.

We need to make a difference. We need to make sure support is available for all older people who find their lives adversely affected by loneliness or isolation, whatever the time of year.

Here in [INSERT TOWN/AREA] we’re working as hard as we can all year round to help older people face the different challenges that growing older brings, and with your help we can work to make sure no one in later life need be alone or isolated.

Whether it’s through our [INSERT RELEVANT SERVICES FOR YOUR LOCAL AGE UK] befriending services or lunch clubs, our information and advice around getting the financial support people need to make the most of their later years or just being somewhere to turn when things get too tough to cope with on your own, Age UK [INSERT LOCAL PARTNER NAME] provides crucial companionship, advice and support to [hundreds/thousands - DELETE AS APPROPRIATE] of people every year.

How you can help
We want to make sure that we can continue to be here for those who need us the most, but we can’t do any of this without your help.

If you want to change the lives of older people in [INSERT TOWN/AREA] this Christmas, please [call 01234 567890 / text XXXX / visit XXXX - AMEND AS APPROPRIATE] to find out how you can make a difference.

With your help, we can keep working to change the lives of local older people and make sure no one has no one at Christmas.

Age UK [INSERT LOCAL PARTNER NAME] provides a range of services and your gift will go where the need is greatest.