LONELINESS affects thousands in the county every year and some areas are particularly vulnerable, according to Age UK Oxfordshire.

Using statistics gathered from the over-65s, the charity has mapped out areas where more older people are likely to suffer from chronic isolation.

At the very top was Northfield Brook ward in Oxford, which covers a large portion of the Blackbird Leys estate as well as all of Greater Leys.

Age UK Oxfordshire chief executive Paul Cann said: “We researched the connection between different characteristics – poor health, living alone, being bereaved – and people saying they were lonely to find areas of highest risk.

“In most places there was relatively low income and religious or ethnic minority groups who may feel that, actually, Oxfordshire doesn’t cater for them.”

Gesmi Beiris, 65, of Blackbird Leys, has lived in countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Jordan in various housekeeping roles.

She first came to Oxford in 1989 and lived with a Headington family taking care of their daughter, who now works at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Now in her twilight years, Mrs Beiris has no surviving family in England and lives a mostly solitary life.

She said: “I stayed with the family for a long time but left because of arthritis. I am retired now.

“I have friends in Blackbird Leys but no one comes to see me or check what’s happened.

“I am lonely, because I live on my own, but I am happy to stay at home because I don’t want to bother other people.

“Other people are busy. They go to work and look after their children, and have other things to do.”

Mrs Beiris regularly attends the Sacred Heart church in Sawpit Road but often spends whole days at home, cooking for herself and watching the God Channel.

Two key pillars of her social life are Age UK Oxfordshire Phone Friend volunteers Mary and Jodie, who call Mrs Beiris twice a week for a chat and a catch-up.

She said: “They ask how I am doing and where I have been. Age UK Oxfordshire is good because they keep checking up on you – sometimes I’m not well and they will find out.

“Asking lonely people how they are, like a friend, is really important.”

This Christmas, the Oxford Mail is asking readers to get involved to help make sure lonely older people in Oxfordshire feel they have someone to turn to.

By the end of the festive season the Lonely this Christmas campaign aims to raise £5,400 for Age UK Oxfordshire’s phone friends service and recruit 10 new volunteers.

Anyone with time to spare is also asked to set up their own Christmas lunch or party for some of the county’s 10,400 lonely older people.

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