‘Make sure older people are not alone’ – how you can help The Sun’s Christmas Campaign to give lonely pensioners a boost

IT’S going to be a tough Christmas for tens of thousands of pensioners this year.

Campaigners fear that money worries sparked by cuts in the Winter Fuel Allowance and mounting bills risk triggering a wave of loneliness and isolation among older people.

GettyIt’s going to be a tough Christmas for tens of thousands of pensioners this year[/caption]

SuppliedVernon Kaye brings comfort as a phone buddy[/caption]

Age UKA chat with the radio star lifted Marion’s spirits[/caption]

Darren FletcherVisitors enjoy a Friday roast with all the trimmings[/caption]

That’s why The Sun is launching the SOS At Christmas campaign to ensure the older generation do not feel alone this winter.

We are supporting the amazing work of leading charity Age UK to ensure older people across the country feel secure and supported over the festive holidays and beyond.

And to celebrate the launch, TV star and radio host Vernon Kay joined us to learn about the charity and the vital services it provides.

The star even trained as a telephone befriender and chatted to one lonely pensioner from his home town.

Troubling new figures from Age UK today reveal that one in ten pensioners say they do not have anyone to turn to.

Among those aged 66 to 69, that number increases to 13 per cent.

Last week, as temperatures plummeted, the Government’s own figures showed 100,000 pensioners are set to be plunged into poverty after losing their Winter Fuel Payment.

Now we are urging readers to donate their time or money to help change the lives of lonely older people by supporting Age UK’s crucial services, which are a lifeline to many.

You could give the gift of time by volunteering for Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service, or its 24-hour Silver Line Helpline, which is open every day, including Christmas.

Offering at least 20 to 30 minutes a week to chat with an older person who might be isolated and in need of company could make such a difference.

Age UK also runs a free and confidential Advice Line, from 8am to 7pm, 365 days of the year, offering advice on everything from finance to bereavement and isolation.

And there are 120 local Age UK centres across the country, which provide clubs and activities where older people can find companionship and a whole range of things to do, from exercise classes and crafts to lunch clubs serving hot meals.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director with Age UK, said: “This winter will be extremely hard for millions of pensioners on a low income. The combination of the energy cap rising and the Winter Fuel Payment disappearing for millions means too many older households will experience real anxiety and financial hardship.

“We know that money issues can lead to further isolation and loneliness as some older people don’t know where to turn for help.

“Christmas can also be a tough time of year for those suffering loss and bereavement, so it is vital we are there for older people who do not have anyone to turn to.

“We are delighted that The Sun’s Christmas SOS campaign will help shine a light on the work we do.

‘Amazing work’

“Age UK cannot be there without the public’s support, which is why we are calling for readers to give what they can this Christmas.

“Donations of money, time and friendship from Sun readers will make a huge difference and help us be there for older people in need.

“We are very grateful for The Sun’s support this Christmas. Together, we can make sure older people do not feel alone.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her Budget to withdraw the £200-£300 Winter Fuel Payment from around 10million OAPs.

Government modelling shows around 50,000 people will be pushed to the breadline in relative poverty next year, and 100,000 by 2027, with 50,000 in absolute poverty.

The Government says households are in relative or absolute poverty when their income is below 60 per cent of the mid-point of all UK incomes.

But this month, in the run-up to Christmas, we will be focusing on the amazing work that Age UK does across the country to give pensioners a social lifeline and combat loneliness.

We will also be showing how older people can access the charity’s vital help and support if they need it.

To mark the launch of our Christmas campaign, Radio 2 host Vernon trained as an Age UK telephone befriender.

He was paired for a chat with Marion, a widow from his home town of Bolton, who has been using the phone service for more than three years after being struck by crippling loneliness following the death of her husband in 2018.

She usually has a weekly call with volunteer Christa.

Marion told Vernon: “After my husband died, the first year was so busy, then in the second I started to find myself a bit down, and by the third I thought, ‘I don’t want to be here any more’.

Darren FletcherGladys, 101, and her daughter Sandra[/caption]

Darren FletcherAnthony tucks into his festive meal[/caption]

“It was my doctor who sent me to Age UK and got me involved in the service. It’s the highlight of my week.

“I really look forward to my calls with Christa. They’ve matched us well because we just talk about everything, and have for years.”

After learning about how her chats through Age UK work, Vernon and Marion enjoyed a gossip about Bolton — where he was born.

Like Vernon, Marion once moved away from the town, but she missed it so much, she returned five years later with her husband.

She had visited the same haunts as Vernon’s parents in the Sixties, particularly The Palais nightclub.

“I used to go with four girlfriends,” Marion recalled. “We would go into the loos to touch up our make-up and have a natter if there was anyone out there worth looking twice at.”

‘A real joy to chat’

Marion’s cheeky comment saw Vernon howl with laughter as he replied: “That place never changes.

“Even when it became Ritzy’s, we’d go ino the bathroom and do the same.”

Vernon fitted in the call around his busy schedule, which includes TV work and hosting Radio 2’s mid-morning show, which he took over from legend Ken Bruce.

And he is keen to catch up with Marion again soon.

Vernon said: “It was a real joy to chat to Marion and I’ve already got another call lined up with her.

“It’s amazing how just taking a small amount of time out of your day can be so beneficial for both parties to just sit down and chat.

“It’s fantastic to be involved with The Sun and Age UK’s campaign.

“I urge everyone to sign up to become a phone friend to spread some Christmas cheer. You won’t regret it.”

Marion told The Sun: “It was lovely to chat to Vernon. It was very easy to talk to him and I loved that he was from Bolton, too.”

Age UK fears that this winter, more older people will be driven into isolation and loneliness as financial hardship stops them from venturing out.

It is estimated that there are around 800,000 people in the UK who are entitled to claim Pension Credit but do not.

Those who get the benefit will be allowed to keep the Winter Fuel Payment, and could receive other entitlements such as a free TV licence and Cold Weather Payment.

Backdate claims

Crucially, eligible OAPs must apply for Pension Credit by December 21, but they also have to request their claim be backdated so they get this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.

Check if you are eligible for Pension Credit online, or get help finding out, by visiting or calling Age UK’s free Advice Line on 0800 169 65 65.

On Thursday, the Department for Work and Pensions released figures that showed the number of Pension Credit claims had soared 145 per cent in the 16 weeks since the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment was announced.

But Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams pointed out that many of those applying are being turned down because they are ineligible.

She added: “These statistics also reflect the acute concern felt by many older people at the loss of their Winter Fuel Payment — something Age UK research fully bears out.”

Love a good ol’ knees-up!

By Thea Jacobs

GATHERED around a piano singing songs from Oliver! and other East End classics are 30 elderly people.

Howling with laughter between songs, and having a good chinwag, several tell me visiting Age UK’s Allan Burgess Centre is the highlight of their week.

The group were treated to renditions of Consider Yourself and Maybe It’s Because I’m A Londoner among others at a festive Cockney knees-up with Luke Meredith.

Jill, 77, has been coming to the centre in Wanstead, East London, since 2023 after her husband, Derek, became seriously unwell.

She said: “Coming to the art classes gave me a bit of ‘me time’ away from looking after him. I could nip up the road but still be close enough if he needed me.”

Since Derek passed away in March last year, Jill has carried on going to the centre – especially on Fridays to enjoy a roast dinner, as she would not make one at home.

Jill said: “We get a lovely dinner, a bit of company and some warmth as well. It’s all really valued. I hope they never take it away because it’s a lovely place.”

Another fan of the food is Anthony, 72, who admits: “I don’t really cook vegetables at home so I get them all here instead.”

Fellow attendee Kathleen, 75, used to joke with a pal about being old enough to attend the centre.

“We used to say we’d go together when we reached 55,” she said.

“Sadly, my friend passed away, but she’d find it hilarious that I come here.”

The centre also provides technical advice and offers help with Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Allowance.

It’s something fellow visitor Jenny, 76, is passionate about.

She said: “Age UK listens to us – no one else does.”

Sat on her table are Gladys, 101, and her daughter Sandra, 76, and pal Hazel, 70.

Hazel said: “It’s a great way to socialise and they provide lovely food.”

Centre manager Louisa Ryrie, 42, started as a volunteer running the crafts club before taking over in January.

She said: “For some of them, this is the only time they’ll get conversation all day or sometimes all week. It’s a warm place where they can have a hot meal that they know is nutritious, and they can make new friends.

“This job is a dream. Everything we do, they all appreciate it. You can’t put a price on that.”