​Charity Community Christmas campaign launched to break the walls of OAP lonlieness

More than 45,000 over 75s in Scotland are at risk of spending Christmas alone this year, a charity has warned.

Societal changes are having a “devastating impact” on the lives of older people, according to the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).

Research carried out by RVS uncovers the extent of the problem, revealing that 31% of over 75s will spend Christmas Day alone.

The most common reason older people find themselves isolated is due to family living far away or in a different country.

Others polled said they don’t speak to their children anymore or they don’t want to put their busy family under any more pressure at Christmas.

A small number admit they simply haven’t been invited to spend the day with anyone.

It is heartbreaking to think of older people sitting on their own, hidden away, while the nation enjoys themselves - Felicity Kendal

Nearly half (45 per cent) of over 75s in Scotland say they think families are more fragmented now and under a lot of pressure, with older people easily forgotten.

Technological advances, although welcomed by charities for those times when face to face contact isn’t possible, seems to be replacing actual visits, with 51 per cent saying technology means people make less effort to actually see each other.

With the majority of older people in Scotland wanting a traditional Christmas spent in company (88 per cent), RVS has partnered with Community Christmas for 2014, with the aim that no older person should have to spend the day 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.

Felicity Kendal, 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 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.”

Caroline Billington, founder of Community Christmas, said: “If you’re on your own when you don’t want to be at Christmas, it’s a really hard day. It only takes a pub open on Christmas Day or a community centre with a lunch on to register it at Community Christmas to show older people there are other options near them this Christmas. We want it to be a day older people can look forward to and would ask everyone to register their events on the Community Christmas website.”

David McCullough, RVS chief executive, said: “RVS works every day to improve the lives of older people at home, in hospital and in the community. We know isolation is a huge issue and this can be acutely felt if you are alone on Christmas Day, missing being with family and friends. There’s no better time to reach out and change someone’s life.”

RVS and Community Christmas are calling on anyone who has an event or support available to older people on Christmas Day to register it now at communitychristmas.org.uk