AGE UK has launched a campaign to combat loneliness across the city.

According to the Age UK loneliness map, residents who live in areas of the Cathedral, Arboretum, Rainbow Hill, parts of Warndon and St John’s are at high risk of loneliness.

Research conducted by YouGov has found 2.65 million older people feel they have no support. A survey found that 24 per cent of older people in the West Midlands who felt they had no one to turn to said this left them feeling lonely, whilst 19 per cent felt isolated and 17 per cent felt depressed. 88 per cent of people aged 65 and older said that being free of financial hardship is important in later life.

The campaign, No One Should Have No One To Turn To, kicks off with a film highlighting some of the challenges people often have to deal with in later life. These include coping with bereavement, getting the social care they need and managing health problems. Age UK Worcester and District offer a befriending service for those who find themselves isolated at home, social clubs where people can get together to take part in activities and make friends, help at home to tackle small chores around the house, a handyperson to carry out minor repairs and computer lessons to give older people online access.

Clare Thomas, CEO at Age UK Worcester & District, said: “We have a rapidly ageing population and it is heart-breaking to think that more than two and a half million older people feel they have no one to go to for help. The fact is that getting older can be really tough and however resilient you are it’s important to know someone will always be there for you, come what may. That’s what we aim to be for older people at Age UK and we know it makes a huge difference, especially for those with literally no one else they feel they can ask for help.”

Age UK Worcester and District is urging people to support its campaign and donate to help ensure the charity’s essential services can continue for older people facing the challenges of later life alone.