Stephen Morgan MP has joined The News and Age UK Portsmouth ‘Christmas Calls’ campaign to combat loneliness for elderly people in the city this festive season.
The campaign is seeking to as many local residents as possible to sign up to the scheme, which aims to pair up each participant up with someone from the Portsmouth area who is facing Christmas Day and the festive season alone.
Participants will then call residents facing Christmas alone this year on Christmas Day, to have a friendly chat with them with the aim to bring some happiness to their day.
Participants are encouraged to carry on with the befriending service after Christmas as the coronavirus pandemic sets to impact interactions in 2021, but there is no requirement on this.
Registration requires a DBS check which is £5 and the deadline for registrations is Wednesday, November 25. If residents are unable to pay the £5 they can still register and if people can’t donate their time, there will be a Just Giving link to donate money to help the charity pay for other people’s DBS checks.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, commented,
“As a former trustee at Age UK Portsmouth I know how valuable their work is for communities across our city.
Loneliness amongst some of the most vulnerable is always a concern, particularly at Christmas. The coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns that this year more people are set to become even more isolated due to shielding and Covid-19 restrictions.
“It is why I am proud to support The News and Age UK Portsmouth’s fantastic campaign to combat loneliness within our community during this winter period. I hope many will continue to stay part of the scheme beyond this period too.”
To get involved in Christmas Calls campaign visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/about-us/contact-us/ by Wednesday, November 25.
