Poverty And Loneliness Impact Millions At Christmas

[mikey4444]

Thought provoking link, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation ::::::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-42354576/poverty-and-loneliness-impact-millions-at-christmas

[emmie]

it is sad i must admit and that many have got no family to go to, those like the lady who was widowed and others who have fallen foul of their families. It is thought provoking, at least there are some places that one can go for Christmas dinner, many lay on a spread to cheer up old folk. AGE UK is brilliant at this, i should know because they offered me free Christmas dinner one year which i declined but there were others who would gladly take up the offer.

[nailit]

So sad that in 21 century Britain, so many people are having to rely on charities to feed them (all year, not just at xmas)

[emmie]

luckily i had two offers to go to Christmas one of which i am taking, so off to brothers for a week to celebrate with all the family...

[murraymints]

one year when I was on my own I offered to help in an OAP home for the day..what a nice day it was too !

[emmie]

part of the problem is that children and families don't always live near one another which was the case years ago, we lived all in the same area and so whoever got the short straw cooked dinner for everyone, now people live in different areas, even different countries so its not always possible to meet up with family...

[mikey4444]

Emmie....I suppose that here must be millions of people like this in Britain. The young chap surprised me, as you don't normally expect to find people like him at those events.

I would like to help people like this, but apart from donating money, which I do every Xmas, I am not sure what else I could do ?

[mikey4444]

Good for you Emmie !

Nailit....I hope you will have people around on the 25th ?

[naomi24]

//the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates around 20% of the UK population is living in poverty.//

It's always sad when people are left alone - but with its figure of 20% I'd like to know how the foundation defines 'poverty'.

Mikey, if you want to help people at Christmas, contact the Salvation Army in your area. I'm sure they'll find something for you to do.

[nailit]

Mikey, my sister has invited me for xmas dinner but still deciding what to do, quiet fancy having the day on my own tbh.

[emmie]

nailit
go to your sisters, sure you will be happy

[Sqad]

"Age UK say that 873,000 people will have little or no contact with others on Christmas Day"

That is sad, although, many of these people given the choice would rather be alone on Christmas day than surrounded by balloons kids, mince pies and alcohol.

I am truly confused.....the Welfare State, now over 70 years old ..promised to take care of us from "cradle to the grave"....free health care, free education, benefits of all kind for the needy and yet.....and yet poverty and loneliness arises every Christmas.

Christmas as a child for me and many others was ONE present, an apple and for my parents, one bottle of rum and one of gin.....a goose and that was it. Simple but appreciated and enjoyed.

Now we see parents going into debt to be Christmas presents and parents spending well in excess of £500 depending upon the number of siblings.

Our expectations have grown over the years and now are totally unreasonable, but despite this, Christmas is unaffordable for many, as it always has been.

Bring back the values of Christmas and what is unaffordable......remains unaffordable......so stop moaning every year about poverty and loneliness and get on playing the hand that one has been dealt.

[nailit]

Probably will emmie.

[naomi24]

20% of the UK population in poverty? Anyone?

[mikey4444]

Nailit....I think you should go to your sisters !

After all, if you spend the 25th on your own, how is that different, or special, than any other day ?

I live on my own and prefer it, but I shall be off to my brothers for Xmas Lunch. His two daughters, plus their boy friends will be there and at least 4 dogs (!)

I just hope that I don't come back with assorted socks as prezzies.......as a man of nearly 65, I now have as many socks as any man of my age really needs !

[Islay]

Can't see it myself Naomi!
Not true poverty - difficulty yes but not poverty
But that is just my opinion based on known what is handed out in benefits to people

[nailit]

You cant have too many socks Mikey :-)

[emmie]

appreciate the gifts whilst on offer i certainly do.

[Zacs-Master]

7.6% in 2015, Naomi which equals 4.6 million. Far too many for a first world country.

[Zacs-Master]

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/articles/persistentpovertyintheukandeu/2015

[naomi24]

Zacs, 7.6% is a far cry from 20% - and I'd still like to know the foundation's definition of poverty.