Morrisons Southport enjoyed serving ‘Christmas Free Course Meals’ to older people in the local area who may be facing the festive period alone.
Each guest was be invited by their local Age UK in Lancashire to come along on Tuesday (17th December 2024) and get together with others for a free three-course Christmas meal, with all costs covered by Morrisons.
The move was in response to Age UK’s new research, as part of its Christmas campaign, Together, we’re not alone, which highlights that around 1 million older people say they are more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year. Public services winding down, harsher weather conditions, shorter days, and health considerations can all make it harder to sustain social connections.
Whilst many enjoy celebrating festive traditions together, Age UK found that a quarter (3.4 million) of all over 65s won’t be putting up decorations at all this year and 1.4 million will be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day.
Morrisons has been fully funding the dinners, as well as crackers and gifts for everyone attending each event, with an additional donation from the Morrisons Foundation helping to fund transport and Age UK staff and volunteer expenses. This is one of over twenty events planned in the run-up to Christmas across Morrisons stores.
‘Christmas Free Course Meal’ guests enjoyed a hearty menu of starters, followed by either a traditional Christmas Turkey Dinner, a vegetarian or vegan Christmas dinner option was also available, each served with all the festive favourite trimmings – roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, mashed potato, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Desserts included a traditional Christmas Pudding, but also Hot Caramel Apple Crumble Pie or Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake, all with custard or cream.
Anna Ingram, Community Champion at Morrisons Southport, said:
“We are proud to be working with our local Age UK branch this Christmas to give isolated older people in the community the chance to get together. We love bringing people together in our Cafés and were really excited to be putting on a wonderful Christmas meal for some of our senior citizens.”
Jade Darton, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Age UK, said:
“Loneliness and social isolation are year-round problems but winter, and Christmas can be particularly tough. Instead of looking forward to a festive period filled with friendship, celebrations and joy, thousands of older people across the UK are facing Christmas feeling lonely, isolated, and forgotten. That’s why, we are delighted that Morrisons has provided festive meals for so many older people this year. This thoughtful initiative not only provides a delicious meal but also helps to combat loneliness, bringing comfort and a sense of community to those who need it most. Because together we’re not alone.”
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