CHRISTMAS is a time to spend with friends and family, but this is not the case for everyone.

In Southampton there are more than 32,000 people over the age of 65, with 10 per cent of these people admitting they feel lonely and isolated by society.

With the festive period fast approaching, Age UK has launched its ‘No One Should Have No One at Christmas’ campaign.

The campaign is being championed by the charity’s Southampton branch.

Health and Wellbeing development officer at Age UK Southampton, Phil Williams said they have found some elderly in the city haven’t been out of the house in months.

He said: “With this campaign we really encourage people to check in on their neighbours once in a while and check they are doing ok.

“There is always more that we can do, and we hope the campaign will give elderly people the confidence to get out and be more sociable, attend the lunch clubs and feel part of the community once again.

“Getting people to think about and talk about the issue of isolation is the first hurdle for us.”

The campaign comes off the back of department sto John Lewis’ ‘Show someone they’re loved this Christmas’ advert which is supporting Age UK.

• To donate to the campaign or volunteer visit ageuk.org.uk/Southampton.

With the advert, which features a lonely old man on the moon, and the charity raising awareness of how lonely the elder generations can be, Mr Williams is hoping people will be inspired to help.

He said: “With more people needing our services we are always looking for more volunteers to help.

“It is amazing what a brief visit to an elderly relative or neighbour can do to boost their confidence.

“And that is what we aim to achieve from this campaign, is to make older people feel confident enough to make the first step in getting involved in their community once again.”