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 Edinburgh News
An Online Festive Feast of Art in Miniature
More than 200 renowned and emerging artists have been announced as taking part in Open Eye Gallery’s cherished online Christmas exhibition.
READ MORE
Start the New Year with a New Skill at Edinburgh Open Workshop
Edinburgh Open Workshop is excited to announce the launch of new DIY, woodworking and welding courses beginning in January.
READ MORE
New Steps Musical To Hit The Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026
UK pop band Steps are delighted to announce that their official musical HERE & NOW, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour including Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORE
Step through the wardrobe to an enchanting Narnia themed world at Duck & Waffle this Christmas
Inspired by the beloved classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, guests at the restaurant and bar located at St James Quarter will be transported back to their childhoods.
READ MORE
Experience The Magic of Christmas at The Leddie
The Leddie, Aberlady's boutique hotel and restaurant, is unveiling its first ever festive season lineup that promises to add sparkle to your calendar this Christmas.
READ MORE
Celebrate Christmas at Marine North Berwick
With the countdown to Christmas officially on, Marine North Berwick are pleased to share these festive offerings.
READ MORE
Imaginate announces two new Scottish commissions for its 2025 Childrens Festival
Imaginate has announced it has commissioned two new shows which will open at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in May 2025.
READ MORE
Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth!
This December, Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.
READ MORE
Spread joy this season by donating decorations and messages of hope
The Leith Collective launches annual Christmas tree exchange with an extra personal touch this year.
READ MORE
Royal Ballet First Soloist Nicol Edmonds debuts with Scottish Ballet this winter
Royal Ballet First Soloist Nicol Edmonds will perform with the Scottish Ballet for a limited run of shows this winter as The Prince in The Nutcracker.
READ MORE
Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary
Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.
READ MORE
Scottish pubs to help tackle loneliness this Christmas
17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.
READ MORE
Forth Awards honours local heroes alongside celebrity names
The Forth Awards, presented by OT, have once again crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East - with local heroes celebrated alongside huge names from the entertainment world.
READ MORE
By popular demand, the Fat Hippo festive menu is back, featuring their epic limited edition Christmas burgers!
Forget those seasonal bakes…this year, it's all about Fat Hippo's Christmas burgers! With both meat and vegan options, it looks like everyone's made the nice list!
READ MORE
Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima bring House of MinaLima to Edinburgh
The gallery-shop will open with the launch of the new MinaLima Classics product range, the Harry Potter Yule Ball collection and the recent The Phantom of the Opera limited-edition art prints.
READ MORE
Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues across Scotland
Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival announces first details of 2025 Theme and Programme
Edinburgh International Festival today unveils the first details of the 2025 Festival, the third from Festival Director Nicola Benedetti, taking place 1–24 August 2025.
READ MORE
Wedgwood the Restaurant announces the return of Christmas Day boxes
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant has announced the return of its sell-out Christmas Day boxes.
READ MORE
Bingo All The Way at The O2 Academy Edinburgh
The Christmas countdown is now truly on as Bongo’s Bingo celebrates Christmas in Edinburgh including a Hogmanay special for New Year’s Eve.
READ MORE
Return of Edinburghs Hogmanay New Years Day events programme
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has today announced a packed programme of free events to start 2025, as the much-loved First Footin’ and Sprogmanay events return on New Year's Day!
READ MORE
Cineworld Edinburgh Celebrates 25 Years
Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, will host an exciting day of celebrations on Saturday 23rd November at Fountain Park Cinema in Edinburgh to mark the cinema’s milestone 25th birthday.
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
A packed three months of Winter events ahead at National Galleries of Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland is lighting up the dark winter nights with a packed three months of events across the National, Modern and Portrait galleries in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Lost Shore Surf Resort Makes Waves with Grand Opening in Scotland
Scotland’s first inland surf resort, Lost Shore Surf Resort, officially opened with an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony at its £60m site in Ratho, near Edinburgh
READ MORE
Local MP applauds performing arts institution
A West Lothian higher education institution has been praised by the local MP for its commitment to supporting the next generation of performers.
READ MORE
Tickets On Sale Now For Dear Evan Hansen at the Edinburgh Playhouse
ATG Productions announce The brand-new Nottingham Playhouse production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN comes to Edinburgh Playhouse in July.
READ MORE
Celebrate the festive season with the Mowgli Edinburgh Christmas Feasting Menu
Enjoy authentic Indian street food perfect for sharing this festive season at Mowgli Edinburgh!
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
BrewDog has hidden 60 Advent Calendars across its bars for craft beer lovers to find
BrewDog is relaunching its Treasure Hunt campaign in time for Christmas with 60 of its iconic Advent Calendars will be hidden across 20 selected BrewDog bars in the UK.
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 MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links