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Together, we're not alone

Your support could help change the lives of older people who are at risk of feeling lonely this Christmas.

The challenge

Christmas is a time for togetherness – but not for everyone.

Imagine spending Christmas on your own. You may have lost your partner, have no family or friends to share it with, or may have health conditions that make it difficult for you to leave your home.

For many, this is the reality. Thousands of older people across the UK will spend Christmas alone this year – and will be left feeling lonely, isolated, and forgotten.

But you can bring friendship, comfort and joy this Christmas.

Donate now

1.4 million

older people feel more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year

2.3 million

older people said last year that they wished they had someone to spend time with at Christmas

How your support can help

By donating to Age UK, you can help isolated older people to feel included and valued every day of the year.

“The call is a definite thing to look forward to each week.”

Steve, who lives with Parkinson's, has found that a chat with his telephone friend Gareth helps to brighten his day.

 

Read Steve's story

“My telephone friend helped me through a really bad time.”

Support from her telephone friend Lorraine has helped Eva to regain her confidence after losing her beloved husband.

 

Read Eva's story

“I don't know what I would have done without it.”

The Age UK Telephone Friendship Service has helped Michael, who lives with mobility problems, to find connection again.

 

Read Michael's story

Donate now

Together, we can be there

You'll support services like the Age UK Advice Line, which offers timely information and support 365 days a year – including Christmas Day. You'll help us campaign for older people’s rights, so we can push for the UK to be a better place to grow older in the years to come. And you'll support our telephone friendship service, which connects lonely older people with someone to talk to at Christmas and all year round.

Thanks to our supporters, in 2023:

172,943 calls

were answered by the Age UK Advice Line, offering guidance and support

4,972,427

minutes of phone calls were facilitated by the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service

Over £25m

a year in unclaimed benefits was identified for older people by Age UK

Donate now

Together, we're not alone.

Please help change the lives of older people who feel lonely this Christmas.

Age UK provides a range of services and your gift will go wherever the need is greatest. 

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