Coming together during the Festive Season.

Togetherness is being talked about more than ever, and it’s great to see this year’s festive adverts focusing on this. Whether it’s about spending more time with family, or coming together with people you normally wouldn’t spend time with. The festive season is the perfect opportunity to combat loneliness in our communities.

Age UK is urging people to make a difference this season and spread a little cheer by making an effort to visit older relatives and neighbours they know during the festive period.

Sadly, 500,000 older people will spend the holidays alone this year; not only struggling to cope with escalating heating costs, fuel allowance cuts and the tough winter predicted but also by the absence of human company.

The Waitrose 2017 Advert has been accompanied with the #ChristmasTogether campaign. This is excellent at trying to raise awareness of the importance of making a difference to the lives of people around you this festive season.

BBC One has also joined the Christmas Together campaign with their short film, supporting the idea of ‘oneness’ and how important it is to share experiences and interests over the festive period with friends and family.

Gather together with your family to make sure your elderly loved ones enjoy themselves this season.

There are lots of ways for you to ensure that our loved ones don’t feel lonely during the festive period:

• Help with shopping for and wrapping presents for them to give.
• Think about downstairs accommodation if they want to stay with you.
• Think about games and activities that are inclusive to all generations.
• They may not want to join in with everything, but will enjoy watching.
• Ask them about memories of past holidays.
• Older people in your family may need to sit in a comfy chair.
• Can you help with their card writing – could you do the envelopes?

Being there for your loved ones is one of the best things you can do to show that you care. Don’t be worried to talk about feelings, there could be something you can do to help. Having someone who is willing to listen could be a great source of comfort for someone who needs love this season.

Want to make sure that the people in your community aren’t alone this season? The Great Christmas Get Together is a great way to brighten the day of a person who may have otherwise not seen anyone. So, take a chance to make friends this festive season with #mincepiemoments.

All you have to do is decide when you’re going to take part (between the 24^th-26^th December), buy or make your own mince pies and head round to wherever you are going to share your #mincepiemoments. Get involved at http://www.greatgettogether.org/

Whether it’s in your home, in the community, or by visiting someone that would love the company, spread the joy this festive season!

Older people and their families can get in touch with Age UK to see how the charity could help someone who may be feeling lonely at this (or any) time of year by calling Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65