PRESS RELEASE

Main Contact: Karen Steele, Marketing and Partnerships Manager, Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale

Tel: 029 2068 3604/07584 346 015

For immediate release: Monday 18th January 2021

Sadly, many of us experience feelings of loneliness at some points in our lives. It’s a personal and painful time, which can make a person feel completely hopeless.

Unfortunately, for far too many older people this isn’t just prevalent at Christmas and regrettably also rings true after the festive season has passed and the long Winter months linger on. It’s a sad realisation that social isolation and loneliness is the norm for many older people and not just a result of the holiday season or Covid 19.

For over 40 years, six local charities throughout Wales have worked tirelessly to reach out to thousands of vulnerable and isolated older people living in our local
communities. These local independent charities form the social enterprise known as Age Connects Wales. Together these member organisations support around 45,000
older people within 11 of the 22 local authority areas in Wales.
www.ageconnectswales.org.uk

From Monday 18th January for a one-week period, the charities will be running their ‘Connected against loneliness’ campaign. Age Connects Wales is asking you to be a good neighbour and help us help older people living in your communities this Winter.

The third Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title of ‘Blue Monday’ due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and money worries that affect many of us. In 2021 it falls on the 18th and during this week, all Age Connects charities throughout Wales will be raising awareness of the continued loneliness facing older people.

During the week, the charities will also be running a timetable of online virtual activities that people can get involved in to stay connected and occupied. Activities will be listed on the Age Connects Wales website and will include a choir sing-along, craft sessions, seated exercise and a make-up tutorial.

Let’s come together, connect and tackle loneliness amongst older people in need this Blue Monday and from now on. If you feel you could spare some time to support
and volunteer with your local Age Connects charity, then please make contact.


To show your community spirit visit www.ageconnectswales.org.uk to find out more.

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Notes to the Editor:
Age Connects Wales is a social enterprise made up of six local, independent Age Connects organisations with over 40 years’ experience supporting older people and their carers in Wales.

Together, our member organisations support around 45,000 clients within 11 of the 22 local authority areas in Wales.
Members include: Age Connects Morgannwg, Age Connects Torfaen, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale, Age Connects North East Wales, Age Connects North Wales Central and Age Connects Neath Port Talbot.