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
Consultation goes live on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling
Stirling Council is asking for feedback on a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area as a public consultation goes live today.
READ MORE
Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run
Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!
READ MORE
Stirling Photography Festival launches its 2025 theme... Beyond
Stirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers.
READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies
Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched
PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MORE
Electric Boat Launch Event at the Falkirk Wheel
The much-loved Antonine passenger vessel, a trip boat serving one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions has received an electrifying makeover.
READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace
This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials
The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums
Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration
The Stirling Highland Games has proudly announced a new three-year partnership with one of Scotland’s most iconic brewing brands, Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres
Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!
Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!
READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway
Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.
READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland
Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.
READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland
The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.
READ MORE
Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project
To mark Bike Week UK, people across Stirling are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that will help shape active travel in the area and support the shift to sustainable modes of transport.
READ MORE
Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters
Pollinator-friendly plants, funded and organised by Go Forth Stirling BID have added a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre.
READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM
Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.
READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores
Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.
READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade
Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party
Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.
READ MORE
Stirling celebrates its rich history at the Walking of the Marches
Stirling’s rich history and heritage was celebrated at its annual Walking of the Marches, which dates back to at least the 12th century, on Saturday (31 May).
READ MORE
Have your say on plans for a sustainable transport system in Stirling
People will have the opportunity to shape a future transport system for Stirling that is fair, clean and affordable with the launch of a new consultation.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links