With your help, Age UK can continue to reach out to more lonely, isolated older people with the support they so desperately need.
Our older generation has experienced a lot in their lives, but nothing like the extreme loneliness and unbearable isolation caused by the pandemic.
For 88-year-old Mary, and 90-year-old Jim, facing this crisis on their own has pushed them to the brink.
‘People underestimate the awfulness of loneliness. I had nobody. I was completely alone.’ Mary, 88
When lockdown came Jim felt like the walls were closing in. He had no one to call on for support, no family or friends to rely on.
The good news is that Jim called on Age UK. Now, he receives a regular call from our Telephone Friendship Service, helping him to feel connected with the world again.
4 out of 10
4 out of 10 older people aged 65 and over say that they have often or sometimes felt lonely
225,000
225,000 older people often go a whole week without speaking to anyone
400% increase
In 2020, we saw up to a 400% increase in demand for our telephone friendship services
Age UK needs to be here for older people and their loved ones.
Whether someone's struggling with chronic loneliness or needs expert advice to help them cope with the problems later life can bring, no one should feel they have no one to turn to.
But we can’t do this without help from people like you. Please show lonely older people that we do listen and care, by donating to Age UK today.
Thank you.
