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Gail Porter backs Christmas campaign to tackle isolation after Edinburgh named UK’s loneliest city for over 60s

Gail Porter with a Cosy Cupcake (Vintage Vibes)
Gail Porter with a Cosy Cupcake (Vintage Vibes)

GAIL PORTER is supporting a Christmas card campaign by charity Vintage Vibes to tackle loneliness in Edinburgh.

The project encourages people to send free personalised cards to lonely over 60s in the city this Christmas.

TV presenter Gail said taking part in the scheme is the ‘best Christmas present’ someone could give.

She said: “I’m delighted to support Vintage Vibes and their Christmas card campaign.

“Loneliness and isolation can be extremely detrimental to someone’s mental health.

“We often take for granted the little things in life, including receiving cards at Christmas, so why not show someone you care and send a free card to VIPs this festive season?

“It’s the best Christmas present you could give!”

Scotland’s capital city has been named the loneliest in the UK for people over 60, with 11,000 being always or often alone and 2 in 5 saying they expect the TV to be their main form of company over the Christmas period.

Some Cosy Cupcakes from Cuckoo’s Bakery (Vintage Vibes)

The inclusive campaign also has the support of the popular Cuckoo’s Bakery in Edinburgh. Christmas cards can be picked up and posted for free from its Dundas Street and Bruntsfield Place locations.

The team behind the bakery’s award-winning sweet treats have also created a special ‘Vintage Vibes Cosy Cupcake’ which will be sold until the 8th of December.

25% of all profits from the tasty cakes will go to Vintage Vibes.

Vintage Vibes are a charitable partnership between LifeCare Edinburgh and The Broomhouse Centre and are helping to combat loneliness by nurturing friendships between VIPs (lonely older people) and volunteers.

There are currently 70 VIPs matched with volunteers across Edinburgh, and another 70 on the waiting list.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager of Vintage Vibes enjoying a Cosy Cupcake (Vintage Vibes)

Georgia Artus, Vintage Vibes Development Manager, said the impact of the scheme on the lives of older people can be huge, as volunteers offer a ‘lifeline’ to those who are suffering from social isolation.

She said: “Christmas is often the loneliest time of the year for the over 60s, so we’re encouraging everyone to get involved with our Christmas campaign.

“By simply spending a few minutes of your time picking up a card and writing a message, you will be making our VIPs’ Christmas so much brighter.

“Our volunteers can be a lifeline for these incredible VIPs who may have become lonely, one of our VIPs called his volunteer “a shining light when she walks through the door” and another said her volunteer “made her feel human again.

The posting station at both Cuckoo’s Bakery stores (Vintage Vibes)

“I started my involvement with Vintage Vibes as a volunteer, taking my dog Molly along for weekly visits, and saw what a difference taking a little time can make.

“Volunteering helped me understand that something as simple as receiving a Christmas card can really make a positive impact on someone’s life when they spend so much time in isolation.

“So, pick up a free card and help us spread some Christmas cheer to Edinburgh’s over 60s.”

 Cards can be requested and sent out over the Vintage Vibes website (vintagevibes.org.uk/christmas), emailing hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or by texting ‘cosy’ to 70300.

Christmas cards are available now and the deadline for requesting a card from Vintage Vibes is Friday 8th December.

The Christmas cards have been subsidised by the efforts of staff at Standard Life offices in Edinburgh.