Royal Voluntary Service asks you to spend Christmas with elderly person

The research, carried out by older people’s charity, Royal Voluntary Service, found the most common reason older people in Britain are set to be lonely this Christmas was family living far away or even in a different country.

Others are saying it is because they don’t speak to their children anymore or because they won’t want to put their busy family under any more pressure at Christmas.

With the majority of older people in Scotland wanting a traditional Christmas spent in company (88 per cent) Royal Voluntary Service has partnered with Community Christmas for 2014, with the aim that no older person should have to spend Christmas alone if they don’t want to.

The website, communitychristmas.org.uk, is a portal where those who are holding events, activities or offering support to older people on Christmas Day can register them.

It provides a one-stop-shop for older people, their families, friends and carers to search for options near them on Christmas Day.

Actress Felicity Kendal, who is backing the campaign, said: “Christmas Day is a time for celebration, friends and family – and usually eating too much! It is heartbreaking to think of half a million older people sitting on their own, hidden away, while the nation enjoys themselves. Let’s show older people we do care and make sure they know there are invites waiting this Christmas.”