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
Free outdoor cinema returns to Edinburgh this June with blockbuster weekend
Edinburgh’s much-loved free outdoor movie weekend, Square Cinema, returns this June, bringing three days of big-screen entertainment to the heart of the city.
READ MORE
Mindroom launches Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion
Mindroom will launch ‘Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion’ with a free-to-attend online event on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11.30am.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood Makes Waves with Art and first floating Sound Therapy in Scotland
The Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood is making waves with the launch of two fresh experiences, inviting guests and locals to enjoy a world of creativity, culture, and wellbeing.
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Edinburgh and the Lothians Best takes home Prestigious Prizes at the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards
Top butchers and bakeries in Edinburgh and the Lothians’ have claimed a variety of much sought-after prizes at the prestigious 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces industry partnership with UNIFIED
Edinburgh International Film Festival and newly formed production outfit UNIFIED have today announced they are partnering on a special strand of events as part of the industry programme.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
Guide Dogs go for a walk on the wild side at Edinburgh Zoo
Two puppies in training to become guide dogs enjoyed a visit to Edinburgh Zoo as part of a new collaboration between Guide Dogs and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival Celebrates Record Breaking Youth Participation with 25 Years of Art of Listening Workshops
This year the Edinburgh International Festival’s flagship workshop Art of Listening celebrates 25 years of bringing live classical music to schoolchildren across Edinburgh.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
Rooftop vibes return to Edinburgh city centre
Skyline Sips, Edinburgh’s most exciting rooftop venue, is back for its third year at Level 5, St James Quarter.
READ MORE
A Landmark Year for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gives audiences an exclusive look behind the drawbridge of its landmark 75th Anniversary Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!
READ MORE
Here & Now showcase returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Here & Now returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ith a brilliant programme of the best dance, installation, integrated performance, movement and theatre being created in England right now.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 to open with acclaimed SORRY, BABY by Eva Victor
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced Eva Victor’s acclaimed comedy-drama SORRY, BABY will open the Festival in August.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cold Town House in Edinburgh partners with Aperol to transform iconic rooftop bar
Cold Town House in the Grassmarket has teamed up with Italy’s iconic orange bittersweet aperitif, Aperol, to add some spritz to its city centre location from May until September.
READ MORE
Major new displays at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One this summer
Discover some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this Summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh from 12 July 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Giant Lanterns are back with a splash at Edinburgh Zoo!
For the first time in six years, Edinburgh Zoo is bringing its Giant Lanterns event back with a splash this winter.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Gilded Balloon announce 40th anniversary programming
One of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s most iconic venues, Gilded Balloon, has announced a huge roster of legendary names to celebrate its 40th anniversary this August.
READ MORE
Conifox Champions Allergy Inclusion for Families
Allergy Awareness in Action as Conifox Adventure Park sets a new standard for safe family days out.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Skerryvore castle concert capacity grows due to global demand
A special one-off event celebrating the 20th anniversary of beloved Scottish band Skerryvore is getting even bigger, organisers have announced.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links