Older people in the UK are the loneliest, poorest and most concerned about age discrimination

New WRVS research suggests that the experience of ageing in the UK is poor compared to other EU countries, with older people in this country the loneliest, poorest and the most concerned about age discrimination.
 

• Read more about why our older people have the highest rates of loneliness.
• Read why the overall health of our 65s is relatively poor.
• Read how our pensioners are at the highest risk of poverty.
• Read about how they think there is too much age segregation in society and not enough opportunities for older and younger people to work together and socialise.

"This research highlights the sad truth about growing old in Britain today and should act as a wake up call. The treatment of older people in this country needs to be addressed and we must learn from our EU partners. As they have proved, it is possible to tackle some of these issues by taking advantage of volunteers to provide older people with more social contact and better links to their communities. This in turn will have a knock on beneficial impact on their health."
David McCullough, WRVS Chief Executive

Download our research Ageing across Europe

Find out about WRVS volunteer-led services to support older people in your area:

• WRVS befriending and telephone befriending click here
• WRVS Good Neighbours click here
• WRVS Home from Hospital click here
• WRVS Meals on Wheels click here
• WRVS lunch clubs click here
• WRVS social centres click here
• WRVS community centres and cafés click here
• WRVS community transport click here

Talk to us about how WRVS can make a difference in your local area click here

Separate WRVS research has found that older people who volunteer actually improve their sense of well-being simply through helping others. People also get a sense of personal satisfaction from seeing their voluntary work is appreciated. 

It's common sense that giving back to the community, making friends and staying active help to prevent the issues faced by older people such as loneliness.

By encouraging more volunteering we can help to turn around the concerns of the UK's older people.

Learn more about the relationship between volunteering and well-being in later life by reading The impact of volunteering on well-being in later life

WRVS has been awarded Investors in Volunteers status to recognise the huge difference the charity’s volunteers are making to lives of older people. The award recognises that WRVS volunteers receive the support and training they need to work effectively and professionally.

WRVS volunteers cover the length and breadth of Britain to help more than 100,000 older people every month live the life they want to and help them stay independent at home and active in their local community. 

Find out about our Investing in Volunteers award

This year WRVS is celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by launching Diamond Champions, a search to find people over the age of 60 who volunteer and give their time to help others in their community. 

We’re calling for nominations from charities and organisations from across the UK.

Help spread the word about Diamond Champions and celebrate the important and valuable role played by older people.

A regional celebration awaits the volunteers who will be presented with a Diamond Champions pin and certificate. Eighty of the nominees will receive a personal invitation to the ultimate Diamond Champion event at a Royal residence where they will be meet Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

She realised that she was very lonely, depressed and had stopped eating. Read how the WRVS community centre helped

82 year old John keeps busy as a volunteer driver helping people get around with community transport. Watch how volunteering helped

After the deaths of her husband and son her world was empty. Watch how the WRVS befriending service helped

© 2012 WRVS Registered charity 1015988 & SC038924.
Registered address:
WRVS, Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8RP