The Christmas party helping tackle loneliness

One pensioner having fun at the lunch to help tackle loneliness and isolation at Christmas

One hundred pensioners have gathered for a Christmas party aimed at bringing together people at risk of loneliness and isolation.

The lunch, at Adderbury near Banbury in Oxfordshire, is sponsored by a number of local businesses and has been running for four years.

"To me this means an opportunity to get together with people at Christmas," said Chris one of the people who attended.

Pamela said: "It gets me out of my flat and I meet other people, and you see them every year, you know, have a good chin wag, catch up on old times."

Chris enjoying her Christmas meal after losing her partner last year

Chris continued: "Annet and I both lost our partners last year so Christmas isn't a fantastic time.

"So we have our Christmas Day here, today."

Janet, Pamela's sister, said: "I've been twice and it's absolutely fantastic.

"I can't wait from year to year, it's that good."

While Terry said of the event held at Bibby Financial Services: "It's a way of getting everyone together, having a good time, excellent food, excellent booze."

Janet, who attended with her sister Pamela, said is was "absolutely fantastic"

"We've worked alongside Age UK Oxfordshire to try and get people to have a good time around Christmas, especially those who are going to be on their own at that time," said Gwen Geay, head of the service centre at Bibby Financial Services.

"It's really important because they feel like they can meet friends, get together and have a laugh."

Gwen Geay, from Bibby Financial Services, works with Age UK Oxfordshire to bring people together

Peter Johnson, head of service for the community team at Age UK Oxfordshire, said: "People find themselves lonely and isolated.

"This gets them out of their homes and back out in to the community, able to socialise with other people and enjoy the Christmas spirit."

Peter Johnson, of Age UK Oxfordshire, said the event gets people out of their homes