Older people 'feel loneliest' on Sundays

A new survey has found that almost 1 in 7 older people feel loneliest on Sundays.

The research by the Royal Voluntary Service among more than 1,000 people revealed that 13% of older people miss having their family around on Sunday.

The same survey also revealed that 1 in 3 over-65s miss eating with their family throughout the week, while 2 out of 5 said they did not like to eat alone.

Sunday ‘a day to endure rather than to look forward to'

The latest poll was released to coincide with the Royal Voluntary Service's new Big Sunday Lunch campaign, which hopes to encourage people to cook a meal for some of their older friends, neighbours or family members in February.

The campaign also aims to raise money through the meals to help other older people in the local community.

David McCullough, chief executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, said: 'It is clear that, for many older people, Sunday can be a day to endure rather than to look forward to.

Organise a Sunday lunch

'That's why we're calling on members of the public to hold their own Big Sunday Lunch events and invite their older family and friends to enjoy a meal together.'

French-born chef and restaurant owner Albert Roux and his son, MasterChef presenter and two Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jnr, are supporting the Big Sunday Lunch campaign.

Albert Roux said: 'Food is a really important way of bringing people together to enjoy each other's company and have a great time.

'It can be all too easy to take for granted the pleasure of sharing food; many older people don't have the luxury of enjoying a meal with their family or friends.

'Holding a Big Sunday Lunch event is a great excuse to gather your nearest and dearest to enjoy breaking bread together and raise money to help tackle loneliness among older people at the same time.'

Copyright Press Association 2014