Age UK Lancashire is on a mission to end loneliness for older people in the county
and is calling on the public to help.

The charity is launching a ‘No one should have no one’ campaign to raise awareness of the negative effect loneliness can have on a person.

In Lancashire it estimated that 34,000 older people experience loneliness on a daily basis. In fact, in the UK 1.9 million older people often feel ignored or invisible. Some older people say they have not spoken to a loved one in more than a month.

Loneliness and isolation are now a normal part of growing older for many. They have a drastic effect on a person’s physical and mental well-being, which in many cases can have serious consequences.

Research carried out suggests that it can be as harmful to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Another study that looked at people with high levels of loneliness found that they were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared to those people who have a low level of loneliness.

David Ward from Age UK Lancashire told QLocal yesterday: “We are asking people for support as we know there are many older people who we are unable to help.

"Now, more than ever before, we rely on donations and fundraising to enable us to continue to support people, but also reach out to those who need us the most. The majority of people will spend Christmas with family and friends but many people will have no one to share this special time of year with. This year we are collating information to let people know what is going on around the festive period, particularly on Christmas Day, so if anyone is facing Christmas alone and would like somewhere to go, please ring 0300 303 1234 and we can hopefully give them information about any local gathering”.

Age UK Lancashire provides many vital services all year round that are unfunded
which can help people access unclaimed benefits and get help and support when
they need it most.

Added David: “We are looking for support from the local community to help us
raise funds so we are able to support more older people all year round. We feel that Christmas really highlights the fact being lonely and having no one to talk to can be upsetting and affect people mental and physical wellbeing”.

If you would like to donate to support their work you can: text AUKL02 £3 to 70070 or make a donation online at www.ageuklancs.org.uk. Other ways to support the charity include donating unwanted items to their charity shops or signing up to become a volunteer. Information about the services and ways in which you can support can be found at www.ageuklancs.org.uk or calling 0300 303 1234.

Please help lonely older people in Lancashire today.