Droitwich AgeUK boss urges residents to help town's older people this Christmas - The Droitwich Standard

Droitwich AgeUK boss urges residents to help town's older people this Christmas

Droitwich Editorial 16th Dec, 2017   0

THE CHIEF officer of Droitwich’s AgeUK branch has called on residents to help the charity assist the town’s older people who may be lonely this Christmas.

Jan Phillips said loneliness was blighting too many lives and needed to be tackled.

“Loneliness doesn’t only affect older people over the Christmas period, but because most of us expect to spend this time of the year enjoying ourselves with family and friends it can make those who are unwillingly on their own feel all the more left out and miserable.

“For many lonely older people the festive season also brings back memories of happier times in years gone by, reminding them of partners and other close relatives and friends who are no longer around and who they sorely miss.”




She added chronic loneliness was not only horrible to experience day in, day out, it could also have a devastating impact on older people’s mental and physical health.

“There is something we can all do to make a positive difference to the older people around us.


“Having a friendly chat with an older person on the bus or in a shop, or offering to help an elderly neighbour with their shopping if the weather is bad, can do more good than most of us would ever guess, and at very little cost to ourselves.

“In fact I guarantee you’ll feel better too as a result.”

Her words come amidst a new film launched by AgeUK which shows the heart-breaking reality for many older people during the festive season.

AgeUK Droitwich Spa tackles loneliness through offering a range of vital services and support, such as providing information and advice and through practical help for older people in their own homes via its domestic services.

AgeUK Droitwich also offers a befriending service where volunteers go on regular visitors to older people – sometimes that can be the only conversation they have all week.

Call 01905 772126, visit www.ageukds.org.uk or email [email protected] for more information on AgeUK Droitwich.

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