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 East Renfrewshire News
Play time upgrades across East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire Council is set to upgrade play areas across East Renfrewshire in the coming months.
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure announce their Winterfest programme
East Ren Culture and Leisure has announced its Winterfest programme, with a whole host of classes, events, workshops, cinema screenings and panto lined up to spread some festive cheer!
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
Celebrate Hope: Book Week Scotland 2024 Ignites Inspiration across Scotland
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland 2024, returns from 18-24 November to uplift the country with its theme of Hope.
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre announces exciting new season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly present a thrilling lineup of magical family pantos jam packed with laughter, music, song and dance featuring some of Scotland's favourite stars!
READ MORE
CBeebies announce Beauty And The Beast for their 2024 Christmas Panto
Modern Films Family in partnership with CBeebies are excited to announce that this year's CBeebies Panto is Beauty and the Beast and that it will be in cinemas during November and December.
READ MORE
Garden Centre unveils festive dining for the whole family
From enjoying a jolly time at Santa's Breakfast to indulging in a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea or enjoying some seasonal drinks and cakes, customers at Dobbies are in for a treat.
READ MORE
New contemporary dance degree launches in Scotland
A leading Scottish performing arts institution has launched one of the country's first artist-led Contemporary Dance degree courses.
READ MORE
The Glencairn Glass launches, The Last Dram, crime fiction anthology to raise money for charity
The Glencairn Glass, the world's favourite whisky glass made by Scottish company Glencairn Crystal, has launched a collection of gripping crime fiction short stories by up-and-coming crime authors.
READ MORE
itison Drive In Movies Christmas go on sale tomorrow!
itison's popular Drive-In Movies Christmas event is returning to Loch Lomond Shores over the 13th - 24th of December and tickets for the highly anticipated events go on-sale tomorrow morning!
READ MORE
Lost Shore Surf Resort Unveils Premier Adventure Destination in Scotland
Scotland’s leisure and tourism industry is making waves as Lost Shore Surf Resort, the nation’s first inland surf destination, officially opens its doors on the 11th November.
READ MORE
itison Drive In Movies Christmas is back!
itison's Drive In Movies Christmas has announced its return to Loch Lomond Shores this December with the festive spectacular running over not just one, but two weekends!
READ MORE
French Film Festival UK 2024 Programme Announced
The French Film Festival UK have announced the 2024 programme with more than 200 screenings of 60 French-language films across more than 25 different locations.
READ MORE
Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound is coming to the cinema for one night only!
Lightbulb Film Distribution have announced that Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound will be released in UK & Irish cinemas for one night only on November 19th.
READ MORE
Dobbies offers free festive inspired workshops in November
Dobbies Garden Centres will host free festive-inspired events, giving people of all ages the chance to create garden-inspired gift ideas and Christmas decorations through fun, hands-on activities.
READ MORE
Huge Charity Partnership Between Cash For Kids and Three Major Seasonal Events
25p from every ticket sold for Fawkes Festival, Starry Nights at Dean Castle and the brand-new Starry Nights experience at Beecraigs Country Park will be donated to Cash for Kids.
READ MORE
Nominations now open for East Renfrewshire Citizen of the Year 2024
East Renfrewshire Council has today (28 October) begun its search for Citizen of the Year 2024 as it looks to celebrate a resident who goes the extra mile.
READ MORE
Become a ghost hunter as VisitScotland reveals the most haunted castles
The spooky season has arrived and VisitScotland reveals the most haunted castles and shares expert tips for capturing real ghosts.
READ MORE
Tickets go on sale for the largest wedding showcase in Scotland
Following a successful event at the SEC last weekend, tickets for the 2025 Scottish Wedding Show are on sale, giving brides and grooms-to-be the chance to secure tickets to the upcoming event.
READ MORE
rEDOLENT wins The Scottish Album of the Year Award
rEDOLENT ‘dinny greet’ was last night announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award in Stirling’s Albert Halls.
READ MORE
People of Scotland invited to have their say on priorities for heritage in Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking to the people of Scotland for input on draft plan to help country’s heritage deliver real, lasting benefits for all.
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Celebrates Book Week Scotland
East Renfrewshire libraries will host a series of free events for adults and children to celebrate Book Week Scotland (18-24 November 2024).
READ MORE
New winners announced for the 2024 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards
With just over a week to go until the sold-out 2024 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards at Barrowland Ballroom, the prestigious awards ceremony has announced its latest winners.
READ MORE
Scottish Institute prepares to welcome the next generation of performers
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television is preparing to open its doors on 31st October, inviting potential future students to explore its state-of-the-art facilities.
READ MORE
One week until Paisley Halloween Festival returns
Paisley Halloween Festival which comes back to town next week with some exciting event changes to celebrate its 10-year anniversary... here's everything you need to know!
READ MORE
SAY Award unveils bespoke glass prizes and Ceremony performances
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has revealed a first look at the remarkable sculpted glass prizes this year’s Shortlist will receive.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections to shine bright this winter as 2025 programme unveiled
The world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections has unveiled its ambitious, multi-faceted programme for 2025.
READ MORE
Into Film Festival Scottish Programme Announced
Education charity, Into Film Scotland, has launched the 11th Into Film Festival programme and bookings are now live for this year’s exciting edition in November.
READ MORE
The Scottish Wedding Show rings in its return to Glasgow this October
Country's largest wedding showcase is back and giving Scots the chance to snap up free tickets.
READ MORE
October holiday fun for ALL the family at Loch Lomond Shores
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted with loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs and loch tours and much more!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links