Christmas Day experience to be delivered to over 300 Sheffield residents who would otherwise be alone

A community project helping to reduce loneliness in Sheffield is set to deliver a Christmas Day experience to over 300 residents who would otherwise spend it alone.
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Age Better in Sheffield has partnered with Ignite Imaginations, a Sheffield-based arts charity, to coordinate the project which will see 340 people in total benefit from a bit of festive cheer this Christmas.

With the help of volunteers, over 170 people will have a hot Christmas meal delivered to their door, 315 will be gifted a box of presents and 141 will receive a befriending call on December 25, a day when they may have otherwise not seen or heard from anyone at all.

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Volunteers at Age Better in Sheffield have handmade Christmas cards for people who would otherwise spend the festive season aloneVolunteers at Age Better in Sheffield have handmade Christmas cards for people who would otherwise spend the festive season alone
Volunteers at Age Better in Sheffield have handmade Christmas cards for people who would otherwise spend the festive season alone
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For the last five years, Age Better in Sheffield has provided a Christmas Day meal in various venues across the city for people aged 50 and over who face spending the festive season alone – with the Christmas Day experience replacing the usual event this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Garrie Dunk, 60, from Heeley, will be receiving a Christmas box and said it is “brilliant” to know someone is thinking of him this year.

He said: “I went to a Christmas Day meal organised by Age Better in Sheffield last year and I enjoyed that. I have family around but they’ve got their own lives now so I normally spend Christmas by myself.

"I don’t normally see anyone anyway so the befriending calls I get about twice a week are a good thing, they’re the best part of my week.

The gift bags being sent to over 300 over 50s in Sheffield by Age Better in Sheffield this ChristmasThe gift bags being sent to over 300 over 50s in Sheffield by Age Better in Sheffield this Christmas
The gift bags being sent to over 300 over 50s in Sheffield by Age Better in Sheffield this Christmas
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"In all the 60 years I’ve been alive this is the first time someone has actually done something for me. It is such good news. It’s brilliant to know that I’m not forgotten and will have something special to look forward to on Christmas day.”

The gift boxes will be filled with items which have been donated by Sheffield businesses and members of the public, as well as handmade Christmas cards created by volunteers, sweet treats, and a range of activities to take part in.

As well as a hot meal and a gift bag, there will be a variety of online activities available through Zoom including: a good morning and merry Christmas chat, craft demonstration by artist Jordanna Farrimond and a guided meditation led by Sheffield Buddhist Centre.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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