BRINGING people together is an important part of Christmas for all of us.

But many older people in Oxfordshire could face spending the holidays all by themselves.

And it’s looking after older people who could be at risk of feeling isolated this Christmas that the Oxford Mail hopes to highlight through its Lonely this Christmas appeal.

Thankfully there are a wealth of groups that do their part to help.

For more than 40 years, the lunch club at the Seacourt Hall, in Chapel Way, has been serving up hot meals for older residents in the community.

On Thursday, residents were invited to enjoy a festive bash, where roast beef and Christmas pudding were on the menu.

Viv Smith, of St Paul’s Crescent, has volunteered at the club for five years.

The 65-year-old said that the club was a wonderful way of getting people together who would normally be on their own, especially during the holiday season.

She said: “The club is such a brilliant way of getting people together who would normally spend Christmas by themselves.

“I spoke to a gentleman and he said he was going to be spending Christmas by himself, but he said he’d be alright because he had his dog with him.

“I think it is very important that we bring people together this time of year, and we always try and cook them something they wouldn’t normally make themselves if they’re on their own.

“We always do a two-course meal, every fortnight, and then Thursday was extra special with Father Christmas and a raffle for them.

“We’re a tight-knit community in Botley, and the people that come to our club are a lot older than 60 so it’s important for them to mix and to be able to have a talk together.”

Last week, Marina Bennett received the long-term volunteer of the year award at the Best of Botley Awards after running the lunch club for more than 40 years.

She said: “It is wonderful. The best bit of every session is when people come up to you afterwards saying, ‘that was a lovely meal’.”

The Oxford Mail has teamed up with Age UK Oxfordshire to help raise £5,400 for the service – or even sign up as volunteers themselves – to help some of the 10,400 older people in Oxfordshire who say they are often or always lonely.

HOW TO 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. 10 new recruits are being sought as part of the campaign. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. 
To find out more, e-mail 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