Charity Contact the Elderly have welcomed Age Scotland’s newly launched campaign ‘No-one should have no-one at Christmas’.
Latest figures show that more than 50,000 older Scots will spend Christmas alone. The Scottish Government have also announced a national strategy to tackle loneliness.
Loneliness among older people is an issue all year round and a team of dedicated volunteers at Contact the Elderly ensure more than 1,000 of those aged 75 and over who live alone enjoy social contact at least once a month through the much loved free tea parties.
The figures from Age Scotland highlight there is much more potential to expand the tea parties in Scotland and this is something Contact the Elderly are working very hard to do.
Contact the Elderly said: “To make that happen we need to identify and reach out to those living alone and we would once again like to encourage the public and other agencies to help us find these people. We also need more volunteers to offer just a little bit of time once a month, or even a couple of times a year, to make an immeasurable difference and enjoy great company, tea and cake.
“Our 112 groups in Scotland, from the Borders to the Highlands, Glasgow to Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh to Angus and plenty of places in between are currently enjoying fantastic Christmas parties and it brings such joy to see volunteers and guests having a wonderful festive gathering.
“I would urge anyone reading this, or anyone who has offered an act of kindness inspired by the Age Scotland campaign and keen to do more throughout 2017 and beyond, to consider donating a little time – from the vast testimonials we receive from guests and volunteers we can assure you the rewards are mutually felt.”