“There must be lots of lonely older people like me but what can we do?”

Wendy, aged 77, dreads Christmas. For many years she has spent the day alone, wishing she had someone to celebrate with. Last year, having stocked her fridge, she just didn’t see the point of cooking for herself in the end – so her Christmas lunch was crumpets and a cup of tea.

“No one wants to be alone at Christmas. You want company, someone to talk to and laugh with, to give presents, and see people’s faces light up. But for me, it’s just another day. I see no one and I feel rejected.”

In the UK, around a million people like Wendy, aged 75 and over, won’t have anyone to spend the festive period with.

Re-engage is the only charity in the UK dedicated to tackling loneliness in people aged 75 and over. This age group, in particular, are at increased risk of loneliness and face a unique set of needs compared to other age groups.

Your donation could help match older people like Wendy with a call companion so they have someone to talk to over the festive period, when they may be feeling at their loneliest.

Much is said about the importance of older people being able to keep warm in the winter months. But what is often ignored is the equally very real need for human contact.

With the cost of living crisis deepening, older people face yet another difficult year ahead. Mounting bills and high costs mean social activities can often be the first thing to go to save money. Many more older people will be pushed into isolation.

A regular phone call really can make all the difference and we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of older people who feel more confident or report improvements in their physical and mental wellbeing since joining Re-engage.

Right now, many older people are waiting for a life-changing call. You can help meet the ever-growing demand for our services and provide much needed companionship for very vulnerable people who may be feeling at their loneliest, especially at this time of year.