This time last year we are usually organising Christmas parties, coach trips and meals out for our members. There is a festive buzz and our older people are looking forward to coming together to celebrate at different events. This year due to the Covid-19 pandemic many of our users will be following government guidelines and spending Christmas alone. They will not be able to visit and share the day with their family or friends. Many have told us they feel hopeless and sad. Throughout the pandemic the Older Peoples Services has responded and adapted their services to support the needs of their older users who have been hugely impacted by the pandemic resulting in feelings of isolation and vulnerability like never before.

Below are some of the things we did in response to the pandemic to ensure that our members received the critical individual support they needed during this unprecedented period:

We set up a Community hub which has prepared and delivered over 4,000 free meals in 30 weeks . And a telephone befriending service providing weekly welfare calls to 40 older people . We carried out over a 2,000 welfare calls. Our Food Co-op to created a shop and drop service which delivered over 526 shopping deliveries to people unable to get to the shops .

Now with Christmas is fast approaching and restrictions in place we want to carry on helping our users through what is no doubt going to be a difficult festive season. By providing a hot Christmas dinner or hamper to let them know we and the community care.

We have been talking to our users and this is what 97-year-old Jane who lives alone in a block of flats in East London said 'I have very little practical support from family as they live outside London. Every year I travel to spend Christmas with them however this year this is unlikely to happen.' We have been supporting during lockdown with meals and activity packs. She commented when I get my meals delivered to me its like waiting for my birthday presents, and the activity packs give me something to do.

Another user 83-year-old Lil has multiple heath conditions and has been shielding since March and despite shielding coming to an end, she is afraid to leave her home. All her family lives abroad so we support Lil with weekly calls, free meals and help with her shopping. Lil says the support I receive is a lifeline, I look forward to my weekly chats. Its nice to know someone is looking out for me

This year we are asking for your support by donating to our Christmas fundraising drive . This will allow us to provide 120 Christmas lunches and 150 Hampers to an older person spending Christmas alone this winter. Help us spread some Christmas cheer by donating now!

Below is what your gift can give someone

£50 -Will provide 7 isolated people a Christmas lunch delivered to their door or 2 festive hampers to brighten up their day

£40 Will provide 5 Christmas lunches or 1 festive hampers to feed them over the Christmas holidays and 3 sets of gloves to keep their hands warm

£35 With this donation we can provide an older couple with a Hamper to share together over Christmas and a set of gloves, scarves each to keep them warm this winter.

£25 will buy 1 hamper for an older person or 2 Christmas Presents which shows an older person someone is thinking of them

£10 will buy 1 Christmas present or 2 sets of scarf and gloves

£5 will buy a set of gloves and scarf to keep an older person warm this winter or a Christmas dinner delivered to their door