As we approach winter, Christmas seems to be on everyone’s mind. The festive season is a time for family, friends and celebrations. For many people this time of year is a joyous occasion, however, for some people, winter is the loneliest point of their year.
Winter makes it difficult for many older and vulnerable people to leave their homes and also makes it more difficult for people to visit them. At least half of people aged over 75 in the UK (2 million people) live alone, many of them say that they can often go days or even weeks without receiving any social interaction.
A recent study by the Campaign To End Loneliness revealed that around 1 in 10 older people in the UK are chronically lonely. This can be exacerbated during the winter due to the days becoming shorter, darker and colder. It has also been discovered that 1 in 3 people who report that they are suffering from feelings of loneliness also have chronic health conditions, this makes them more vulnerable during the winter months. They might need help picking up prescriptions, getting groceries and household necessities as well as attending important appointments such as getting their flu jab.
This winter we’re encouraging people to make a conscious effort to help an elderly or vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour. Loneliness has been recognised as an epidemic within the UK, which can be remedied by simply offering support to those who need it or visiting them for a cup of tea. This is especially important around Christmas, as many elderly and vulnerable people have family who lives far away or don’t have any family at all. This means they can spend the Christmas period without any visitors, cards or phone calls. Making the effort to be a friendly face during this time can really make a huge difference in their lives.
One of the rewarding aspects of being a carer is being able to make a difference to someone’s life during the dark times. You would be able to be a familiar face on a day to day basis, providing comfort, company and much needed social interaction.
If you are looking for a new career and want to make a big difference to someone’s life this winter, visit our vacancies page and join us on our mission to fix loneliness in the UK! https://www.humansupportgroup.co.uk/work-with-us/vacancy-listing/
