Community spirit called upon to help older people this winter

Great British spirit called upon to help older people this winter

Community spirit is being called upon to help older people from suffering needlessly this winter.

In a national campaign backed by Dame Helen Mirren, Age UK have called on everyone to harness the Great British spirit celebrated so widely in summer to help Spread the Warmth.

Age UK’s Metro Rochdale branch is joining the campaign and a spokesman explained why it was so important.

“Winter can be a very lonely time of year,” he said.

“Older people like to get home early before it gets dark, and the nights can be very long now it’s getting dark earlier.

“Every year around autumn it reaches a point where a switch just seems to be flicked and it gets cold - like it has been in recent weeks.”

He added: “We urge older people to please get in touch if you have any questions.

“Be careful, be sensible and contact us to check all your entitlements.”

Research undertaken by Age UK to mark the launch of the campaign revealed 3.5 million people aged 65 or over do not receive help, support or companionship from neighbours.

As a result, the Spread the Warmth campaign is urging people to make one of their Big Winter Pledges - including visiting an older friend, relative or neighbour and clearing paths in bad weather.

Dame Helen, 67, said the high number of preventable deaths caused by cold weather was one of her reasons for backing the campaign.

“It’s shocking that so many older people die needlessly in the winter months,” she said.

“I’m supporting Age UK’s Big Winter Pledge by spreading the word about the importance of keeping warm this winter – whether that’s layering up when we go out or keeping our living rooms at 21 degrees and bedrooms at 18 degrees.

“I’d urge everyone to get stuck in this winter and help out older friends, neighbours and relatives with Age UK.”

Age UK will also be organising social events throughout the winter months, and older people in Rochdale are invited to attend two coffee mornings at the Wellbeing Café in Victoria Street, Littlebrough.

The mornings will be held on Wednesday 5 December and Wednesday 12 December and will allow older people to meet others from the area, have a chat and enjoy a coffee.

For more information contact Age UK Metro Rochdale on 01706 712515.