I recently came across a facebook page called Paulines Angels. Carrie, Louise, Kerry and Jane set it up in memory of Carries mum, Pauline. Their mission is to ensure no one in the Chorley area spends Christmas alone. They have been raising money throughout the year to hold a Christmas meal with entertainment on Christmas Day at Chorley Cricket Club in Lancashire. So far they have raised enough money for 40 people to attend. They are also offering transport to and from the event. The party is for anyone that would be spending Christmas Day alone. To book a place email paulinesangels1@gmail.com
According to Campaign To End Loneliness;
- 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month (Victor et al, 2003)
- Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)
- Two fifths all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Age UK, 2014)
- 63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are separated or divorced report, feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)
- 59% of adults aged over 52 who report poor health say they feel lonely some of the time or often, compared to 21% who say they are in excellent health (Beaumont, 2013)
- A higher percentage of women than men report feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)
The Co-operative have also partnered with The British Red Cross in their tackle loneliness campaign. Together they hope to provide vital support to the lonely and isolated, reconnecting them to their communities and providing life changing care in their homes.
You will probably have seen the Age UK #ManOnTheMoon advert in partnership with John Lewis for their campaign No One Should Have No One At Christmas. According to Age UK, one million older people go for a month without talking to someone.
That’s a staggering amount but with companion programmes and phone lines from charities such as Age UK, the British Red Cross and amazing people like the ladies over at Paulines Angels tackling the issue in their local area, hopefully that number will decrease and less people will feel isolated.
To donate to Paulines Angels they have a go fund me page. They are also making food hampers for the elderly. Food donations can be left at Rosie Posies sandwich bar behind Chorley police station, Woodchats coffee shop in the bus station, Autocentre on Friday Street, Mari Jaques hairdressers on Spendmore Lane in Coppull and COWSHED at Buckshaw Village.
To donate to Age UK text Ageuk to 70004 to give £5
To donate to The British Red Cross, text TACKLE to 70600 to give £5 x
