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 Glasgow News
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn
CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement
Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MORE
Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums
Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE
Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow
Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils
Artwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long
Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025
This Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement
Three powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MORE
Free travel for Armed Forces Day
First Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Play more, spend less at Topgolf Glasgow this Summer
Topgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MORE
11 year old Rachel Ronnie to take centre stage with the launch of a Busk Stop at Buchanan Galleries
Aspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MORE
Cast announced for landmark Citizens Theatre homecoming production Small Acts of Love
The Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MORE
Sunday mornings just got a lot more interesting...
El Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MORE
Talent shines at 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival
The curtain has closed on the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival, reaffirming its place as one of the UK's premier and much-loved jazz events.
READ MORE
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg visits Cadder Primary School for special workshop
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg made a special appearance at Cadder Primary School to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.
READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres
Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MORE
Guts UK, the national digestive charity, brings interactive awareness event to Glasgow
Guts UK and Colin the Colon, a giant, walk-through inflatable replica of a colon will be in Glasgow to raise vital awareness of digestive health conditions.
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORE
Chef Modou Diagne to open new restaurant TRUST in Glasgow
Critically acclaimed chef Modou Diagne, known for his innovative approach and celebrated success at 111 by Nico, is set to open his second Glasgow restaurant this summer.
READ MORE
Poets line up for special Refugee Festival Scotland event
An inspiring event celebrating togetherness, diversity and human connection is set to be staged in Glasgow this week as part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2025.
READ MORE
Soulful start for Glasgow Jazz Festival
The 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival gets off to a soulful start today as it opens at venues across the city, officially kicking off five extraordinary days of music.
READ MORE
Aldi Supermarket Sweep is coming to Glasgow
Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge is back again for another year, giving customers in Glasgow the chance to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
READ MORE
Casting Announced for FRIENDS! The Musical Parody coming to Edinburgh and Glasgow
Today, the producers of the 2025/26 UK and Ireland tour of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody are delighted to announce casting for the side-splitting musical comedy.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links