Throughout the pandemic Age UK Cheshire has been supporting people with telephone befriending calls, collecting groceries, and making sure that people are safe and well. While we have seen the demand for help with food reduce, the number of people contacting us in distress at being lonely has continued to increase.

Dale Maskell, CEO of Age UK Cheshire said that across the UK more than two million older people are expecting to feel lonely this Christmas.

He said: “This seems set to be a festive period like we have never experienced before, and not one any of us would want to navigate on our own. At the best of times, Christmas can be bitter-sweet for many older people, but this year they are going to need our support even more than usual. We want to be there with anyone who finds themselves lonely this winter, but we can only do it with the public's support, so please do donate to our festive campaign this year if you can."

The second national lockdown in England is causing uncertainty for older people, and almost three quarters of people aged 65 and over in the North West - more than 976,000 people - are concerned that COVID-19 restrictions might mean that they cannot see family or friends this Christmas, potentially making this festive period the loneliest and scariest ever experienced for many older people.

This winter will be like no other, yet far too many older people are facing this challenging and uncertain time alone.

Older people and their families or friends who need support can call Age UK Cheshire on 01606 881 660 or visit www.ageukcheshire.org.uk.