Waitrose launches drive to tackle isolation at Christmas
Waitrose is launching a new initiative to help support elderly, homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas by providing Christmas lunch events across the country for those who would otherwise be alone on the big day.
The drive will see every Waitrose shop supporting Christmas lunch events in their local community by offering food, money and other resources. This will include hundreds of Waitrose volunteering hours being offered for Waitrose staff to help plan the lunches with each shop being given an allocation of money to use.
The supermarket is asking groups to apply for this support from their local branch if they are already organising – or thinking of organising – such a lunch. It is also encouraging customers to think of people in their community who might be lonely this Christmas and make small actions that might make a big difference.
Waitrose community manager Tina Varns said: “As a food business we’re acutely aware of how important Christmas is to so many people. But for many it can be the most lonely time of the year.
“Through our Community Matters initiative (green tokens) our shops have been able to support such incredible work going on in communities across the country over the last five years – and we’ve learned first-hand how vital this kind of support is at providing lifelines to vulnerable people. This new Isolation Campaign will complement the great work our shops are already doing in their local communities – and we’re excited about the difference it will make to so many people.”
