CHRISTMAS can be a lonely time for some.

While most are making merry and enjoying time with families, some people fear the loneliness and the sad memories of those who have passed away.

According to a study by Age UK, this year 23 per cent of those aged over 65 - the equivalent of 2.5 million people in Britain - suggested that the festive season would not be a happy one.

The research revealed that nearly 400,000 pensioners are dreading the prospect of a lonely Christmas, while 650,000 worried the festive season "brings back memories of those who have passed away."

The study also found that almost a fifth of older people were worried about not being able to "get out and about as much because of shorter, darker days and poor weather conditions."

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said the figures were a timely reminder of the scale of the issue.

"People's social networks often shrink due to life-changing events such as retirement and bereavement which can increase the risk of feeling lonely.

"Voluntary sector services like Age UK's have never been more important because funding cuts are forcing many of the local services that help older people stay connected, such as lunch clubs, to scale down or close."

Three years ago the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and House Trust launched its 'Let's Talk about Loneliness' campaign. Local people trained as community researchers and liaised with more than 2,000 residents of all ages from neighbourhoods within Bradford and York.

The culmination of the campaign was a resource kit to educate how to identify and combat loneliness within our communities.

Tracey Robbins, programme manager of the Neighbourhood approaches to loneliness, says loneliness won't be tackled, ended or combated by services.

"Services can only provide the safety net for those we have let fall through. We must all act. Loneliness does not just harm us as individuals, it harms our neighbourhoods and communities. Our support networks are no longer where we live, and when we need support the absence of those relationships and the gaps in our lives become an ever present reminder of or loneliness.

"Much thought, research and campaigning have happened over the years to raise the awareness of loneliness and the damage it causes."

Tracey says we all need to reconnect: "Take care of yourself and others and remember we all have something to give. And do this not just for Christmas, it can be a great opportunity to reach out and reconnect, but we could all make this our new year's resolution for next year too and the year after."

Pensioners champion, Jean Walker, founder of Bradford and District Senior Power, says Christmas can be the worst time for those who are lonely: "You can be lonely through the year but at Christmas it is more poignant. It is the thought of the past and for older people they view the future with the cuts with such dread."

Nageena Khan, facilitator for Get2Gether (Mil Jul), a group which developed from research carried out in Bradford Moor through the Neighbourhood Approaches to Loneliness project, says many of the pensioners they spoke to echoed comments raised in Age UK's research that they missed family members and Christmas was a lonely time for them.

"The cold weather often added to this and some of them suffered seasonal syndrome. They stayed indoors a lot more during the cold months because they did not feel confident to go out alone. This then added to their loneliness," says Nageena.

She says through the cultural markets they organise they encourage family members to bring their parents and says they also plan to run events, such as a 'Chill, Chat and Chew' event at the end of January, as well as workshops specific to people's needs.

"This work is crucial as we have an ageing society and one that is also feeling more lonely and isolated.

"To be able to reduce loneliness on a personal level, we need to ensure that we call in on people within our neighbourhood who do find it hard to leave the house. The group members of Get2Gether have started something informally which involves them going with a few friends/ family members to the houses of elder generations within their own networks and have a cup of tea. This is having a real impact particularly on pensioners who look forward to the visits once a week. This is something that everyone could easily do, it would not cost anything, however it would have huge benefits on the health and wellbeing of older people."

Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 6565.

To donate call 0800 169 8787 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/loneliness

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