Feeling lonely? You’re never too old to make new friends

Most people know what it feels like to be lonely and everyone has the odd day where it feels like there is no one to talk to, but there are some people in the UK who go months without any real human interaction. This crippling loneliness is heart-breakingly common among the elderly who have either become isolated due to medical conditions, or because their loved ones have moved away or died. Many people fall into a routine which sees them leave their house less and less, at which point the television becomes their main friend.

Human interaction is important for people, especially in their old age because it helps to keep their minds active. More importantly, every person deserves to have the best quality of life in their old age, having worked for many decades and raised families they should be cherished and allowed to live their lives happily.

With this in mind Age UK, a charity dedicated to helping those later in life, set up the Big Chinwag, an event with the aim of getting people talking together and raising money in the community to combat loneliness.

Other ways in which you can contribute to the cause includes donating clothes to Age UK charity shops in order to help raise money. The money raised will be spent to support advice lines which lonely older people can call for help and assistance, regular personal contact for the old and lonely by Age UK, specialist help from Age UK experts for the vulnerable and even a healthy lunch at a club for the elderly which includes return transport.

There were a range of things to sign up for with the charity including simple donations or the organisation of an event. The Age UK Chinwag event saw a variety of events popping up across the country including summer fetes, cakes sales and even cocktails – all of which helped raise money for an excellent cause.

Group activities take place in Birmingham to get the elderly some much needed interaction every week and include: tea and coffee sessions and exercise classes at the Wyrley Road Methodist Church, lunch clubs at the Oscott Community Centre, walk-in advice centres, bingo and a whole host of other group meetings to get older people interacting.

If you missed any of the Chinwag events then don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved and help our old and lonely people. It isn’t just for one day which we need to help the elderly, all year round they face crippling loneliness but by volunteering a small amount of your time you can help bring vibrancy back into a person’s life. If you can’t donate any time, then how about clothes for the Age UK stores, and if you don’t have any you’d like to donate then you can simply make a small monetary donation. All of this makes a big difference to people’s quality of life in their later years.