Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas
Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
Article Source: Asda
Last Updated: 22 November 2024 11:17
It’s called the most wonderful time of the year, – but thousands of over 60s across Scotland are facing a completely Silent Night – and Day – this Christmas season, with one in 10 across the UK 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 revealed that last Christmas, almost one in five said there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul. 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.
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 60s a hearty soup and a roll, with the new addition of a hot drink – with others of their age until the end of 2024. With three soup flavours to choose from and the addition of unlimited tea or coffee – all for just £1, the Asda Winter Warmer initiative is bigger and better than ever.
Asda Bearsden Community Champion, Ryan Rooney, often visits a local OAP group in the Drumchapel St Andrew’s Church and said: “Even though we don’t have a café, we always make sure to support the elderly within the local community in any way we can. I join the Drumchapel group every once in a while to have lunch, lend a helping hand and catch up with everyone who comes.”
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. National treasure and affable star of Gavin & Stacey, Larry Lamb, launched the new initiative in Asda Heron Retail Park in Basildon, spending hours chatting to more than 40 senior citizens who attended the grand opening, tucking into bowls of soup and a cuppa.
As well as its Chatty Café offer, Asda is investing further in tackling loneliness for the over 60s 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.
Ryan Rooney continued: “As part of the Asda Foundation grants to tackling loneliness among the elderly, the Drumchapel group was awarded £1,500 to help fund their Warm Welcome Café, a safe space to enjoy others company with food and drink provided. I was delighted to award them the funding and see how much of an impact this will have on the group and the local community.”
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
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
Thistles spreads festive joy with community Christmas card drive
This festive season, Thistles shopping centre, Stirling partners with esteemed poet Donna Ashworth to combat loneliness this Christmas.
READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling help city streets Sparkle with new Festive Lights
Stirling’s streets have been given extra twinkle and sparkle this winter thanks to an expansion of the city’s festive lighting.
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives
A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MORE
Pick a tree and enjoy an Afternoon Tea at Dobbies Stirling
Celebrate the festive season with Christmas tree picking and an Afternoon Tea celebration at Dobbies’ Stirling store on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December.
READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024
Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025
50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MORE
Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORE
Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MORE
Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos
A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORE
Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas
itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.
READ MORE
Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland
A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.
READ MORE
Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland
To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Tennis ace Jamie Murray awarded honorary degree by University of Stirling
Jamie Murray received the Honorary Doctorate in recognition for his contribution to Scottish and UK tennis, at Stirling’s winter graduation ceremony on Friday, 22 November.
READ MORE
Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas
Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
READ MORE
IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month
IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season
Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
READ MORE
Christmas is coming to Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles, will be hosting a series of Christmas events across December.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links