'Christmas can be a challenging and lonely time' - Asda brings back its “Happy to Chat” campaign to encourage conversations to combat loneliness
Asda has added a new item to colleague uniform in a bid to combat loneliness and encourage conversations after 60% of local community groups say loneliness and isolation is the biggest worry at this time of year.
It’s called ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, but for many over 60’s across Northern Ireland, feeling lonely and isolated is the biggest worry in the run up to the festive season.
Last Christmas, research conducted by Asda showed that almost one in five over 60s (17 per cent) said there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul in the run up to Christmas and 15 per cent said they got used to not conversing with other people.
One in ten over 60’s said they’d gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person.
Worryingly, 42 per cent said their mental health suffered because of their lack of interaction with others.
Asda Dundonald Community Champion Sharon Wilson, wearing the badge said: “Christmas can be a challenging and lonely time for many people, making conversation and connection incredibly important.
"People sometimes come shopping just for some company and a sense of belonging.
"We know the most important thing you can do is listen, ask them how they are and let them know you are there if they ever want to talk. I, for one, love to chat to everyone and anyone.”
Also, this Christmas, Asda is encouraging over 60s to visit their local Asda store with a café to enjoy a ‘Winter Warmer’– the hugely popular £1 deal that offers over 60’s a hearty soup, bread, unlimited team and coffee.
Tracy Butler, Senior Manager for the Asda Foundation said “Millions of people are very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family at this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and that’s why we are investing over half a million pounds to bring communities together to help combat loneliness.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that so many over 60’s might not speak to anyone at all over the Christmas period, we are going all out to bring people as many people together as possible this Christmas.
"We would 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.”