Last chance to make a difference by making a Christmas call to those facing the festive season alone

TODAY (November 25) is the last chance to sign up for our Christmas Calls campaign to ensure people don’t feel isolated and on their own over the festive season.
Make a difference this festive season by signing up to our Christmas Calls campaign.Make a difference this festive season by signing up to our Christmas Calls campaign.
Make a difference this festive season by signing up to our Christmas Calls campaign.

The News has teamed up with Age UK Portsmouth to recruit volunteers from across the region to pair up with someone who may be on their own and feeling lonely this Christmas.

Once signed up, volunteers will be put in touch with their Christmas Calls partner to spread festive cheer across the city by giving them a call on Christmas Day.

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Lord Mayor of Portsmouth joins The News' Christmas Calls campaign
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The campaign has already recruited a host of local celebrities and prominent political figures including the city’s Lord Mayor Cllr Rob Wood, Portsmouth MPs Penny Mordaunt and Stephen Morgan, City Council Councillor Donna Jones, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, Havant MP Alan Mak and Fareham MP Suella Braverman.

Also making a call on Christmas Day will be Pompey legend and Age UK Portsmouth patron Alan Knight.

Alan said: ‘I have been a patron of the charity for a couple of years now and it has been a real eye opener. Loneliness is something that is around all the time and Christmas is a time when that is felt more than most and especially this year.

‘I think people should sign up and be a part of this because it will bring so much joy to those who are lonely and I think we need to look after the older generation a bit more.’

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To register for the campaign go to the Age UK Portsmouth website.

Please fill in the details on the contact form and put the below text in the message.

Hi,

I would like to take part in the Christmas Calls campaign with The News as a befriender / befriendee (*delete as appropriate)

The team at Age UK Portsmouth will then contact you to fill in a DBS form which will cost £5. If you are unable to pay this will not exclude you from taking part.

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Others who are unable to donate their time, can donate to Age UK Portsmouth to help fund other people’s DBS checks via justgiving.com/ageukportsmouth

If you are successful with the DBS check then you will be invited to an online induction meeting with the Age UK team before you are assigned your person to call at Christmas.

The deadline for the campaign is Wednesday, November 25 so that DBS checks can be carried out before Christmas Day.

You can also email Age UK Portsmouth to get involved on [email protected]

Or call 02392 862121. Lines are open Monday to Thursday between 8.45am and 5pm and Friday between 8.45am and 4.30pm.

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