Charity Campaign – Older People Don't Have to be Lonely This Christmas!

ST ALBANS, England, November 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

To help combat an increasing trend in festive isolation, charity Abbeyfield today launches a nationwide campaign, Companionship At Christmas, to create an alternative to spending the celebratory period alone. The charity is offering free overnight stays and delicious Christmas lunches over the festive season (24th December - 4th January) in over 100 Abbeyfield sheltered houses and care homes. The Charity will take enquiries from now until December via their website or via their dedicated telephone number 0845 052 3553 up until the 18th December.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58633-abbeyfield-launches-companionship-at-christmas-campaign

Actor Geoffrey Palmer OBE, who is spokesperson for the campaign, said: "It is so sad that 850,000 older people are chronically lonely and while this is a daily issue, being alone or lonely is particularly heartbreaking around Christmas time. Society needs to help the lonely, the isolated and those who live alone - the young should keep an eye on elderly neighbours, to check that they are OK, and offer help with shopping and generally just keep in touch."

Abbeyfield is inviting members of local communities with elderly neighbours living alone, family members in need of respite support and those who plan to spend the Christmas period alone to contact them.

If you or someone you know are:

- Over 55

- Alone over Christmas

- Currently living independently in your own home

The charity is approaching taxi firms based nearby participating houses and care homes in the hope that taxi firms will charge older people wishing to visit them over Xmas either the  usual rate or even free passage over the bank holidays.

Samantha Woods, PR & Marketing Officer for the charity, said: "Companionship At Christmas offers a lifeline to vulnerable people and we're urging people to take advantage of the support we're offering by visiting http://www.abbeyfield.com or calling 0845 052 3553 today to nominate themselves, someone they know or a family member who may be a long distance from loved ones."

Notes to editor:

Established in 1956 by Major Richard Carr-Gomm, registered charity Abbeyfield was founded with the core focus of helping alleviate loneliness and enhancing the quality of life for older people.

Please contact PR & marketing officer Samantha Woods on +44(0)1727-857-536 or email s.woods@abbeyfield.com if you would like to be put into contact with people who have experienced the hospitality of the charity last year and people planning to visit this Christmas.

For more information on Companionship At Christmas visit the website http://www.abbeyfield.com or call us on our dedicated Companionship At Christmas number +44(0)845-052-3553 to find your local participating Abbeyfield house.

Video: 
http://multivu.com/mnr/58633-abbeyfield-launches-companionship-at-christmas-campaign