With Christmas almost here Newham Council has been tackling loneliness and isolation among its most vulnerable, elderly residents.
Throughout December, across the borough, Newham’s community neighbourhoods are hosting Christmas lunches for elderly residents, many of whom are over the age of 80, live alone and are on low income. The aim is to bring people, who are at risk of suffering loneliness and isolation, together to enjoy the company of others in a festive environment.
It’s an accepted fact that loneliness and isolation can have serious physical consequences and is said to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, with a 26 per cent increased risk of premature death.
That’s why the council decided to change its Christmas offer for older residents this year. In place of a one-off delivery of basic groceries the council focused on bringing elderly residents together for a traditional turkey lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available) over the festive period. For those with mobility issues transport was arranged. All the residents who attended the events were also given a festive goody bag containing biscuits, sweets, chocolates and mince pies.
The lunches are hosted at Community Neighbourhood Centres in Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, Beckton and Royal Docks, Plaistow, Forest Gate, Stratford and West Ham and Custom House and Canning Town. Funding for the events was jointly provided by Newham Council, and sponsors Aspers and Tate and Lyle.
“It was fabulous to see so many of our older residents enjoying a proper festive celebration, with turkey and all the trimmings!
“Christmas is a time to connect with friends, family and neighbours but sadly for some of our oldest and most vulnerable, it’s a time of extreme loneliness and isolation. At Christmas we all look forward to events which give us something to plan for and dress up for, where we can share a laugh and chat with friends, make new friends and create new memories. That’s what our Christmas lunches are achieving, it’s about more than a few free groceries, it’s an event, it’s about feeling included in the Newham family.
“It’s often said “it takes a village to raise a child”, I want our community to take the same approach to our elders. It is the very least they deserve.”
The council believes this new approach offers a better more engaging way of involving older residents in our communities, not only with people of their own age, but with younger generations.
Members of Newham’s community neighbourhood’s link team also attended each event to give advice, and join up residents with the range of services to build a support network and reduce the risk of isolation in the future.