School children across York are being asked to design and create cards to send to those who are alone this Christmas.
It’s part of the charity Age UK York’s winter campaign – aiming to raise awareness and funds to support older people across the city who may be struggling with loneliness, isolation, or financial hardship.
One of the key initiatives of this year’s campaign is ‘Stamp Out Loneliness’, which encourages local primary school children to design and create Christmas cards that will be sent to older people living alone in York.
Winter can be a particularly challenging time for many older people. Shorter days, colder weather, and limited opportunities for social interaction can make feelings of loneliness and isolation worse. According to the national Age UK, almost a million (940,000) people aged 65 and over in the UK are often lonely.
Simon Holmes, chief executive of Age UK York, said: “Social isolation and loneliness are two of the biggest challenges we see day in, day out, affecting older people across our city.
“At Age UK York, we are determined to do everything we can to alleviate those pressures — to be there when people need us, bringing companionship and to offer a helping hand.
“An initiative like this can make all the difference. Receiving a card from a local child can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they’re not forgotten this Christmas. We are so grateful for this act of kindness.”
The charity hopes to raise enough funds to purchase stamps to send the cards, as well as provide warm winter packs containing thermometers, energy-saving tips, and other useful items to help older people stay safe and comfortable through the colder months.
In addition, new packs of Christmas cards will be available to buy in Age UK York’s four charity shops across the city. For every pack sold, 87p (the cost of a second-class stamp) will be donated directly to support the campaign.
To find out more and to help support the Stamp Out Loneliness campaign, visit the Just Giving page here.
