What will you bring to the table this Christmas?

A third of over-75s who live alone typically spend their entire waking day by themselves. And what’s more, research carried out by WRVS revealed that this year almost a quarter of a million older people will spend Christmas Day alone.

On Christmas Day, Blackfriars Settlement will serve Christmas dinner to around 45 elderly folks who would otherwise be on their own. They need help putting dinner on the table and as our local charity we’re delighted to lend a helping hand.

Blackfriars Settlement, on Great Suffolk Street in Southwark, provides services for the community, reaching out to local seniors to combat the loneliness fast emerging as one of the most pressing social problems of our time. Of the 10 million people over 65 in the UK, one in 10 says he or she feels intensely lonely ‘all the time’.

Blackfriars Settlement has supported over 1,700 individuals in the last year. They provide a rich range of activities at the Settlement, from arts and crafts to cups of tea and conversation. Whether it’s through learning new skills, building confidence or simply providing opportunities for people to have fun and make friends, Blackfriars aims to help members of the community achieve their aspirations.

When we heard they needed help serving Christmas dinner to local older folk who would normally be alone, we had our hearts set on giving them a hearty meal full of joy and merriment. So we’re hosting a virtual Christmas dinner here and for every diner that joins our table we will provide a real one for a lovely senior at Blackfriars Settlement until everyone has a full tummy.

The recent report by WRVS uncovered that around 230,000 elderly people will have to face Christmas on their own this year, but with a little help 45 of those seniors will have a very Good Christmas dinner. Help us make it so by taking your place at our table.

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