Gavin & Stacey star kickstarts initiative to support the elderly this Christmas
Supermarket teams up with national treasure Larry Lamb to reimagine its in-store cafes as 'Chatty Cafés' and help spark conversations this Christmas.
Article Source: Asda
Last Updated: 12 November 2024 14:42
It’s called the most wonderful time of the year, – but millions of over 60s are facing a completely Silent Night – and Day – this Christmas season, with one in 10 not sure they will speak to anyone between December 15th and January 1st.
The sobering statistic comes from Asda’s new Christmas Community report – which surveyed 1,000 over 60s – and lays bare the lack of human interaction and conversations millions of older people suffer during the festive period.
Last Christmas, almost one in five (17 per cent) said there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul, and during the two-and-a-half week spell running from mid-December to the end of the year, 15 per cent said they got used to not conversing with other people.
One in 10 over 60s said they’d gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person. Worryingly, 42 per cent said their mental health suffered as a result of their lack of interaction with others.
With no one to talk to again this year, 79 per cent said they’ll reluctantly rely on the TV for company, while 29 per cent said they’ll depend on their pets.
This Christmas, Asda is encouraging over 60s to visit their local Asda store and enjoy a ‘Winter Warmer’– the hugely popular deal that offers over 60’s a hearty soup and a roll, with the new addition of a hot drink – with others of their age.
The supermarket is aiming to transform their in store café’s into ‘Chatty Cafes’ – where senior citizens can come together, eat and drink, and make new friends.
Yesterday (Monday 11th November), national treasure and affable star of Gavin & Stacey Larry Lamb visited the Asda superstore at Heron Retail Park in Basildon to launch the new Chatty Cafés concept. Larry spent hours chatting to more than 40 senior citizens who attended the grand opening, tucking into bowls of soup and a cuppa.
Asda’s Winter Warmer initiative will run across all Asda Cafés until the end of 2024. Back by popular demand, this year’s offering is bigger and better than ever, with three soup flavours to choose from and the addition of unlimited tea or coffee – all for just £1.
Commenting on his store visit, Larry said: “It’s a privilege and an honour to work with Asda to launch its Chatty Cafés initiative this Christmas. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and it’s so important that we all club together and help combat loneliness.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that so many over 60’s in Britain might not speak to anyone at all over the extended Christmas period. Asda’s going all out to bring people in this Christmas and make them feel seen and heard, and spread a little Christmas joy. I’d urge everyone to do the same. If there’s somebody, anybody – young or old – who you know is going to be struggling for company this Christmas, pick up the phone or go and pay them a visit – and obviously, pay a visit to one of Asda’s Chatty Cafés”.
As well as its Chatty Café offer, Asda is investing further in tackling loneliness for the over 60s’s across the Festive period. Across its estate, and running up until the New Year, Asda colleagues will be donning ‘Happy to Chat’ badges, checking in on older customers in-store when delivering home shopping orders.
The Asda Foundation will deliver £600k of grants tackling loneliness amongst the elderly, boosting activities in the local communities, funding Christmas celebrations to bring people together as well as supporting with funding daily essentials.
The supermarket will also dedicate £600k of Asda Foundation grants to tackling loneliness among the elderly through boosting activities in the local communities , funding Christmas celebrations for elderly groups to bring them together as well as supporting donations of daily essentials.
David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Asda, commented: “Our mission this Christmas is to provide everything customers need at our famously low Asda prices. Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones and the fact one in ten of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
That’s why, alongside The Asda Foundation, we’re proud to invest almost £1 million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve.
“Our teams do incredible work to support communities all-year-round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many. We’re pledging to bring people together this festive season and encouraging people across the nation to check in with the elderly in their communities this Christmas.”
Anyone wishing to get involved can reach out to their community champion at their local Asda store for more details of events near them.
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain for 2025 is named
Stirling Highland Games have announcement that former Scotland Women’s rugby internationalist Lyndsay O'Donnell has been appointed as their honorary chieftain for 2025.
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MORE
Landmark active travel project in Stirling officially opens
A ground-breaking active travel network that will transform how people get around Stirling and the wider region has officially opened.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
The Scottish Wild Food Festival returns from 17th to 18th May
From Forest Floor to Firepit: Scotland’s Wild Food Festival Returns with a Focus on Responsible Foraging, Boozy Botany and Coastal Flavours.
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORE
The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MORE
Stirling caps off 900th anniversary celebrations with dramatic Castle parade
Thousands of people braved the elements to line the streets of Stirling to get a glimpse of one of the largest pipe band parades ever seen in the city to close the 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MORE
Top comedian and Scottish brewer team up in search of best Scottish banter for upcoming book
Innis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MORE
Young Stirling musicians excited to be at the forefront of Stirling 900 gala parade
Young people in the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band are excited and honoured to be among the bands at the front of the spectacular Stirling 900 finale parade on Saturday 29th March.
READ MORE
Spring into gardening: Dobbies free April workshops
Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.
READ MORE
JADE and Myles Smith join TRNSMT 2025 lineup
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!
READ MORE
Doors to historic sites across Scotland set to open next month
More than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MORE
Theatrical screenings take centre stage at Vue this spring
To coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
READ MORE
Brave P7 pupil hailed by school and charity
An inspirational pupil at St Margaret’s PS in Cowie has been hailed for his bravery in battling a rare lifelong condition by a primary school and a charity.
READ MORE
Scottish youth hostelling charity launches initiative reviving funded breaks for disadvantaged young people and families
An organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.
READ MORE
Local adults with learning disability excited to lead on innovative project
A group of adults with a learning disability in Stirling are leading on an innovative project that will equip them with new skills and help them raise funds to buy an electric tandem bike.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals 18 big dance acts for Glasgow Green
BBC Radio 1 Dance is taking over the much-loved Boogie Bar to bring some of the best dance music to Glasgow Green this summer on 11-13th July!
READ MORE
Public Invited to Spring Clean Sessions in Stirling with the BID and Dr Murray Cook
The Go Forth Stirling BID team and archaeologist Dr Murray Cook are spearheading a drive to clean up the city’s streets and improve the local environment.
READ MORE
UB40 ft. Ali Campbell brings legendary vibes to Kelpies Live at Helix Park
UB40 ft. Ali Campbell are set to light up Falkirk as part of Kelpies Live at Helix Park, marking a triumphant return to Scotland for one of music's most iconic acts.
READ MORE
Aldi calls on children to design a poster for food action week
To mark Food Waste Action Week (17th – 23rd March), Aldi is calling on children in Scotland to design a poster that encourages people to reduce food waste.
READ MORE
Church of the Holy Rude opens for the 2025 Visitor Season, Celebrating Stirling 900
The Church of the Holy Rude, one of Scotland’s most significant religious landmarks, will open its doors for the 2025 visitor season on Saturday, 29th March.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links