Food, glorious food, is central to the Christmas experience but the opportunity for feasting and sharing festive fun and laughter can be thin on the ground for older people who live alone. This year’s Abbeyfield Society Coping at Christmas campaign is putting the spotlight firmly on food and is inviting over-55s who live alone into its 500-plus homes and houses around the UK to share free Christmas meals, cake and of course companionship, laughter and warmth.
Good, home cooked food combined with company is a real tonic, and it’s especially pertinent at this time of the year when many older people find themselves alone. Indeed, 89 per cent of older people surveyed in a recent poll commissioned by Abbeyfield said that company was crucial to a good Christmas. Of those surveyed, 73 per cent felt that sharing food in the company of others was an essential ingredient of a good Christmas.
Abbeyfield Society CEO, Natasha Singarayer, said: “Food is such a huge part of the festive experience and sharing this while chatting and laughing in company should be part and parcel of Christmas for everyone. Sadly, for so many older people this is not the case. That’s why Coping at Christmas is such an important campaign. It offers those precious elements of a family Christmas which make a vital difference to older people who otherwise face the prospect of spending Christmas alone.”
Elizabeth is a 90-year-old grandmother who was widowed 40 years ago. Her children - now grown up with family of their own - are spread out around the country. Elizabeth suffers from chronic mobility issues, which means she rarely leaves her home. For the last two years Elizabeth has enjoyed Christmas at her local Abbeyfield House. And this also means she enjoys a proper, home cooked Christmas lunch - something she wouldn’t bother to prepare or make at home. More importantly, it means Elizabeth meets and eats with other people, sharing conversations and making new friends.
She said: “It made all the difference to me. It was such a relief to know you were going to be somewhere with people around you, not spending it alone and pretending it was just another day.”
“I enjoy it so much. I like to socialise and talk with people. Having somewhere like Abbeyfield to go to at Christmas is such a wonderful idea. Unfortunately at this time of year I don’t have anyone around me any more – I would be completely alone without Abbeyfield. Christmas time meant lonely days for me - you’ll find a lot of old folk say that. Coming to Abbeyfield has changed that for me. The food is lovely, but what matters most is that you sit and you eat with company.”
Aled Jones, whose angelic version of The Snowman theme Walking In The Air, will forever be a part of Christmas. Aled, a patron of Abbeyfield, said: “Imagine Christmas Day without Christmas dinner. For many older people who live on their own, that is their reality. Thanks to Abbeyfield’s Coping at Christmas campaign, it doesn’t have to be. They are throwing open their doors to offer lovely food, lots of Christmas activities and companionship – all things that can make a huge difference to older people’s quality of life at any time of the year, but no more so than at Christmas.
“I’m delighted to be supporting Coping at Christmas 2015 and will be spreading the message far and wide. Abbeyfield is offering the hand of friendship and lots of fun festive events, so older people know they don’t have to be alone this Christmas.”
Coping at Christmas 2015 launches on November 19 and will offer company, companionship, free events, entertainment, overnight stays and of course fabulous festive food to over-55s living alone across the UK.