IN WHAT could potentially be Oxfordshire’s loneliest place for older people, one long-established community group continues to fight back.

The Oxford Mail needs your help to raise money to help thousands of lonely older people across the county.

As part of our Lonely This Christmas appeal, we are highlighting the issue of loneliness and work being done across Oxfordshire to combat it.

The Leys Community Development Initiative (CDI) was launched 20 years ago to help people in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys reach their full potential.

Its over-50s ‘Clockhouse’ project was set up in 2007 and since then, through dance, cookery, socials and more, has enriched the lives of about 500 older people on the estate.

On Tuesday dozens sat down for a free bring-and-share Christmas lunch at the venue in Long Ground. Project co-ordinator Sally Meachim said: “It was a lovely afternoon. A lot of people sang, played instruments and read poetry so it was very much a team effort.

“It’s very important to have opportunities for people to get together and have a good chat with others, especially near Christmas.”

This Christmas, the Oxford Mail is running its joint campaign with Age UK Oxfordshire on behalf of the 10,400 older people in the county who say they are lonely.

All money raised will go to the charity’s Phone Friends service, where volunteers reach out from its Banbury offices to people sorely in need of human contact and warmth.

According to a ‘loneliness map’ created by Age UK Oxfordshire, Northfield Brook in Blackbird Leys is the place where older people are most likely to be lonely in the whole of Oxfordshire. Ms Meachim said: “Those who come to the Clockhouse don’t feel isolated, but a lot do say that before they made that step they felt very cut off at home.”

The 200-odd people attending the Clockhouse at the moment, be it for tai chi, singing or line dancing, often flourish and grow in confidence as a result.

But although the service is not currently under threat, regulars are in no doubt about how lucky they are to have something like the Clockhouse nearby.

Leys resident Eric Hall, 81, played at clubs in Oxford and Banbury as a young man with his band, Good Company. He sang Silent Night and White Christmas at the lunch.

He said: “It was absolutely terrific. I didn’t realise there were so many lovely people.

“The Clockhouse is wonderful and Sally is a star.”

Gloria Shields, 79, added: “The Clockhouse is something to go and enjoy with other people ”

Over the course of the Lonely this Christmas campaign, the Mail aims to raise £5,400 towards providing Phone Friends for those not as lucky as people in the Leys.

Kind-hearted readers are also encouraged to register their own Christmas lunches, or join the growing number of people pledging to become Phone Friends themselves.

HOW YOU CAN 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