Salfordians are being urged to join a new drive to tackle loneliness this Christmas and to make elderly people ‘feel loved’.
Cyril Flint Befrienders have put a call out onto their social media and website to encourage people to donate small gifts or money to help make someone have a special Christmas.
They will be gifting elderly people, who may be lonely this Christmas, small goody bags that consist of festive treats such as warm socks, slippers, chocolates and more.
The organisation has done this call-out previously across Trafford but this is the first year that it is being rolled out in Salford.
Ruth Gazele, charity co-organiser at Cyril Flint and is eager for as many people to get involved as possible this Christmas.
She explained: “The main goal is to bring some holiday cheer to our elderly community members who are feeling isolated.”
Loneliness across the elderly has reached an all time high, especially since COVID-19.
AgeUK found that 1.4 million older people across the UK suffer from loneliness.
Similarly with over 5 million elderly people living on their own, 50% stated television was their main source of company.
During the festive period, Cyril Flint Befrienders are aiming to tackle loneliness and show some love and compassion to those who need it the most.
The organisation was founded in 2012 and has been caring for the elderly since.
In this time, a variety of campaigns have been launched to tackle loneliness in elderly people to improve their wellbeing such as coffee mornings and charity drives.
The organisation was inspired by the devastating story of Cyril Flint who spent 20 Christmas’ alone after the passing of his wife.
His story created a wave of sympathy across the community and started up the befriending service to tackle the loneliness across the elderly community.
Ruth, who has worked at Cyril Flint since 2022, said: “Knowing that, together, we’re helping bring smiles to faces and lifting spirits—especially during such a meaningful season—is truly rewarding.
“It reminds me every day of the importance of human connection and community support.”
Speaking on the community of Salford, Ruth explained that Cyril Flint has already had such a positive response and are hoping people from Salford volunteer to befriend an elderly in the community.
Last year, when working in Trafford, the organisation received 120 gifts that were then given out to the elderly community.
This year whilst working with both Salford and Trafford they are striving for a greater impact.
Last year Cyril Flint provided a woman in her 90s with both a blanket and a befriender with the woman expressing that the blanket was the only gift she had received all year.
“Its wonderful to see the difference companionship has made in her life,” Ruth said.
Ruth hopes that more small gestures can have such great impacts.
Cyril Flint are also hosting small gatherings and holiday events for the elderly that the community can get involved with.
The organisation is striving to spread some festive cheer across Salford and hopes that the community can help them get there.
You can donate to Cyril Flint Befrienders here.
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