Support our Christmas appeal
If you’re looking to donate to charity for Christmas, the Gift of Presence appeal lets you give something that lasts long after the decorations come down. Together with the Daily Express, we aim to raise £200,000 to keep our community clubs open and growing. These clubs are often the only place an older person can share a hot meal and a conversation all week.
Chronic loneliness now affects 3.8million people in Britain, and while the countdown to Christmas brings untold excitement, for many it heralds dread, sadness, and sorrow. The impact on older people is particularly profound with loneliness and isolation having a devastating impact on mental and physical health.
And this is exacerbated during the long winter months with 14% of over 75s not having anyone to turn to for emotional support, while 1 in 10 are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
Our research shows at least 1.2 million older people won’t be invited to a Christmas gathering this year. Almost half of over-70s haven’t been invited to share Christmas Day, and one in ten people living alone haven’t shared a festive meal for five years or more.
Please give a gift today and give the greatest gift of all this Christmas: presence.
The need in numbers*
Christmas doesn’t have to be like this. You could help provide the greatest gift of all this Christmas.
Community connections
At Christmas, our community services are more important than ever. For those who are older or vulnerable and live alone, and for those dealing with poor health or having to care for a partner or loved one, Christmas is often the loneliest time of year. A time when it feels as though the whole world is celebrating – without you. For these people, our groups offer a beacon of hope. A light in the darkness. Somewhere to turn for comfort and support.
"Our Community Clubs are so important, especially at Christmas. They are warm, safe, happy places where we build activities around a hot, nutritious lunch so that people can come and spend quality time with other people. We know that without our clubs, so many older and vulnerable people would spend every single day alone at home."
Steve Amos, Director of Health & Community Services
What your gift could do all year round
£20
A gift of £20 could help towards the cost of providing more safe and welcoming spaces to support older and vulnerable people.
Donate now
£50
A gift of £50 could help towards the cost of providing hot, nutritious meals at one of our community clubs.
Donate now
£72
A gift of £72 could help towards the cost of recruiting, training, and mobilising one new volunteer to help at one of our community clubs.
Donate now
£20
A gift of £20 could help towards the cost of providing more safe and welcoming spaces to support older and vulnerable people.
Donate now
£50
A gift of £50 could help towards the cost of providing hot, nutritious meals at one of our community clubs.
Donate now
£72
A gift of £72 could help towards the cost of recruiting, training, and mobilising one new volunteer to help at one of our community clubs.
Donate now