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The thought of being alone at Christmas is heartbreaking for most people but is sadly a reality for many. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall has reminded members of the public to remember “those people who may be on their own, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year”. But why exactly is loneliness over the Christmas season so important to Camilla and how can you help those in need?
The Duchess of Cornwall became the royal patron of The Silver Line, a free confidential helpline for older people, in May 2017.
As part of the charity’s drive to tackle Christmas loneliness, Camilla has penned an article about her role and explaining why she supports The Silver Line.
Writing in The Telegraph, she wrote: “Most of us know what it is like to be lonely at some time or another, but for more and more elderly people loneliness is their daily routine.
“All too easily, the stoic older generation can become isolated through bereavement, illness, disability, or simply because they live far from their relatives.
“In today’s busy world, they do not want to be a burden to their friends and families, but days without any human contact can seem endless.”
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Royal plea: Why is Camilla so heartbroken about Christmas loneliness? (Image: GETTY)
Royal plea: The Clarence House Christmas Card from Camilla and Prince Charles (Image: GETTY)
Her article focused on the work The Silver Line does to help lonely and isolated people.
She wrote: “I’m delighted that in October this year, The Silver Line joined forces with Age UK in the fight to combat loneliness, and this will mean this relatively new charity can reach more people, recruit more volunteers and raise the donations on which they rely to keep the service going.
“Many lonely and isolated people’s lives have been changed by this inspirational charity and, with your support, The Silver Line can continue to bring a little light into their otherwise dark days.”
You can read the whole article here.
Royal plea: How can you help tackle loneliness amongst the elderly? (Image: GETTY)
Royal plea: Camilla is the royal patron of The Silver Line (Image: GETTY)
The Silver Line released a film called The Anniversary in November in a bid to highlight the nation’s loneliness epidemic amongst older people.
The Silver Line’s Director of Income Nina Gopal said: “After crying my way through Phil’s film, I thought that we should approach him to create a film for us and he agreed which was fantastic.
“Our brief was to create a film that portrayed loneliness and what it’s like to miss someone so much that it hurts and get across the sense of loss.
“I have to say that he’s done a great job – it’s hard to hold back the tears when I watch it.”
You can watch the film here.
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How can you help?
Find out how you can get involved with The Silver Line by calling 020 3793 9182 or emailing [email protected]
There is more information about how to get involved on the charity’s website here.
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/get-involved/
You can often help by fundraising for the charity, joining a team of volunteers or donating to the cause yourself.
Just £10 pays for two calls from a lonely older person to The Silver Line.
You can also donate £10 by texting ALONE to 70660 (standard network charges apply).
Donations can also be made via the charity’s website.
Royal plea: Camilla helping children decorate a Christmas tree (Image: GETTY)
Royal plea: The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline for older people (Image: GETTY)
What is The Silver Line?
The Silver Line is the only free, national confidential helpline open 24/7 offering information, friendship and advice to older people.
The cost of calls to the helpline, and The Silver Line’s other friendship services, are paid for
by the donations it receives.
Overall, 68 percent of callers contact the helpline down to loneliness or isolation, while 90 percent live alone and 54 percent say they have no one else to talk to.
There are thought to be around 1.2 million chronically lonely older people across the UK, a number which is expected to rise to 2m by 2026.
If you are suffering from loneliness or need advice, you can contact The Silver Line on 0800 4 70 80 90.
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