Banbury volunteer encourages others to be charitable this Christmas

A Banbury volunteer encouraged others to help those in need this festive period as she gives up her Christmas Day.
Jan Cox serving food on Christmas Day at the Royal Voluntary Service's lunch for older people last year. Photo: Royal Voluntary ServiceJan Cox serving food on Christmas Day at the Royal Voluntary Service's lunch for older people last year. Photo: Royal Voluntary Service
Jan Cox serving food on Christmas Day at the Royal Voluntary Service's lunch for older people last year. Photo: Royal Voluntary Service

Jan Cox will be spending her Christmas Day helping out at a lunch for older people at Royal Voluntary Service’s centre in Banbury

“This will be the third year I have volunteered to help with the lunch on Christmas Day," the 69-year-old said.

"I really enjoy it and feel very happy there – it’s a proper old-fashioned Christmas.

"Around 40 people came last year and we are expecting similar numbers this Christmas.

"Many of these older people would be on their own on Christmas Day if it wasn’t for the centre.

"As well as serving a delicious lunch, we also sing a lot of traditional Christmas songs, hand out presents and do a raffle.

"My role will be to help get everything set up, but I will also enjoy having chats with all the diners and will be spending most of the day there.

"Volunteering on Christmas Day is something I really love doing and it’s fantastic to see the happy faces on all who come.”

Research by Royal Voluntary Service found one in five adults in Britain intend to volunteer to help others this festive season with 38 per cent of those intending to do so on Christmas Day.

Collectively, this will result in 50 million hours being donated to good causes.

Royal Voluntary Service ambassador Phillip Schofield said: “For most of us, the festive season is a time of celebration and a chance to spend time and catch up with friends and family. It’s hard to imagine that for so many older people, Christmas is actually the loneliest time of the year.

"We urge everyone to think about their older neighbours and the small acts they can do to bring some Christmas cheer.

"Just popping in to see someone for a mince pie or helping them get out for a festive event or to do a spot of Christmas shopping can make all the difference.”

The findings identify a number of causes people would like to support over the festive period, with helping older people the most popular.

Other charitable causes people were keen to gift their time to included supporting children and young people, helping the homeless, working on mental health projects and aiding refugees and asylum seekers.

The goodwill and desire to support older people over Christmas is much needed – last year, research by the charity identified that almost 280,000 older people were spending Christmas Day alone.

But help is at hand this year. Nearly one in 10 are inviting their older neighbours to join their Christmas celebrations.

Others want to help but simply don’t know how – a fifth of the public said they would like to help an older neighbour who is lonely, but are unsure how to go about it.

Catherine Johnstone CBE, chief executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “It is heart-warming to hear that so many people are planning to gift their time to supporting others in their community.

"The festive period can be a very difficult time for many people, particularly those in later life, who for whatever reason find themselves alone this Christmas.

"We believe more can be done in the community to help combat loneliness and isolation amongst older people, not just at Christmas, but all year round.”

If you are unable to commit to volunteering formally this Christmas there are still lots of ways to help your neighbours who may be older and alone.

For instance you could:

1. Invite them to spend a few hours with you and your family over the Christmas period, or pop in to see them for a cup of tea and a mince pie

2. Find out if there are any events for older people happening locally i.e. a festive community lunch club and encourage an older neighbour to go.

3. Make a short phone call to an older neighbour or relative on Christmas Day just to ask how they are and spread some cheer

4. Make someone a Christmas dinner in their home, or take them some festive food

5. Decorate someone’s house with Christmas decorations or fill their fridge with Christmas treats

6. Check in on an older neighbour to ensure they have the essentials (milk, bread etc.) needed to keep them going until the shops reopen

7. Royal Voluntary Service will continue to support older people in your community and if you wish to make a donation to support our work you can visit https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/donate.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 25,000 volunteers supporting thousands of older people each month in hospitals and the community.

To find out more, visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or call 0845 608 0122.