YESTERDAY the Oxford Mail launched its seasonal campaign, Lonely this Christmas, to make a difference to the lives of people in Oxfordshire.
About 35,000 older people in the county live by themselves, and 10,400 say they often or always feel lonely.
This newspaper is partnering with Age UK Oxfordshire over the festive season to raise £5,500 to help expand its ‘Phone Friends’ service.
Hundreds of older people in the county currently receive a friendly phone call every week from one of the charity’s volunteers – and it can be the only person they speak to all day.
Over the winter months the problem of loneliness is particularly pressing, while the rest of the county gears up for a joyful Christmas Day with family and loved ones.
Age UK Oxfordshire chief executive Paul Cann said: “This is about looking outside of ourselves.
“There’s a concept called ‘snow permission’, which is the idea that when it snows, people and communities break out of their normal behaviour.
“Because of the severity of the weather and this external event we give ourselves permission to care for other people, clearing snow from a neighbour’s drive or checking others are OK.
“What we need now is for there to be ‘snow permission’ all year round.”
Readers are asked to donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal and 10 kind-hearted people are being sought to become phone friends.
An online fundraising page has been launched. For more information or to donate, visitcampaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness
HOW CAN YOU HELP
* Donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal, which is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its and Phone Friends service. Text AUKO22 £3 to 70070 to give £3 or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness to pledge an amount of your choice.
* Volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire. Ten new recruits are being sought over the Christmas period. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. To find out more, email volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk.
* If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk
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