VOLUNTEERS, organisations and businesses are being encouraged to give the gift of time this December.

They are being asked to help organise festive activities so no older person will be alone this Christmas, unless they want to be.

The initiative is being organised by Friends of the Elderly and Community Christmas as figures reveal that more than 60 per cent of people over the age of 60 in Weymouth and Portland and West Dorset are effected by loneliness and hundreds of people are expected to be alone this Christmas.

Last year lots of activities in Dorset were registered with Community Christmas, including Christmas Day lunches across the county.

Staff at The George in Weymouth hosted their annual Christmas lunch for residents of Almshouses.

But even more activities like this are needed to reach as many older people as possible.

It is not just about the turkey dinner, you could get people together to watch a Christmas film, share a cup of tea and a mince pie in a local pub, or enjoy a Christmas Day walk.

Jo O’Boyle, director of engagement at Friends of the Elderly, said that it was vital that people were protected from loneliness and isolation over the festive season, where possible.

She said: “Friends of the Elderly is delighted to be working with Community Christmas again this year to support older people facing Christmas alone.

“We know that loneliness can have a devastating impact on older people’s lives and those we work with tell us that becoming isolated from a day community they were once part of can be especially difficult.

“That’s why we’re calling on individuals, organisations and businesses to put on activities on Christmas Day to bring together older people in their community who don’t want to be alone.”

If you are organising an activity on Christmas Day, or know of one in your area, contact Community Christmas so it can be listed on the website and make it easier for older people to know what’s happening in Dorset.

For more information visit fote.org.uk/christmas or communitychristmas.org.uk/