TV star Angellica Bell backs Sun’s Xmas SOS Appeal as millions of older people struggle with loneliness over holiday

LEADING a conga around the floor, TV presenter Angellica Bell is spreading Christmas joy. But behind the dancing, there’s a serious message.

The former kids’ telly host is backing The Sun’s Christmas SOS Appeal with Age UK, to combat loneliness and isolation among older people.

We are asking readers to donate money to Age UK, volunteer as a phone befriender or visit one of its shops.

And at the charity’s Merton centre in Mitcham, South London, Angellica takes to the microphone to lead the pensioners in singing and dancing at their Sparkle Party.

The former CBBC presenter, now a consumer journalist who has worked on The One Show, says we can all do our bit to help.

I have worked with older people a lot in my job, especially on The One Show. Look at the energy here. They’ve got such a wealth of knowledge and often, sadly, their needs are forgotten about

Angellica Bell

Angellica, 48, said: “I value the older generation, their wisdom and what they give.

“I have worked with older people a lot in my job, especially on The One Show.

“Look at the energy here.

“They’ve got such a wealth of knowledge and often, sadly, their needs are forgotten about.”

Figures from Age UK show more than 4.6million people aged 65 and over in England experience one or more of the following: Loneliness, poor health, an unmet need for care, and poverty.

And in the current tough financial climate, the charity’s centres provide vital assistance, helping pensioners learn about the benefits they can claim — and to not be afraid to ask for help.

 Angellica said: “Age UK provides not just the social aspect but helping with forms.

“Older people can be one of the worst groups for coming forward and asking for support.

“And there is the not knowing what they can claim.

“The wealth of information and technology can be daunting for a generation where a lot is done online.”

As a big supporter of the charity, Angellica, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, says we can all learn from older people.

“My grandmother was the keystone of our family and I loved spending time with her,” she says.

“She was a cook from the Caribbean in St Lucia.

Reassuring support

“The time with her, the songs we learnt, those experiences I had with her helped me to go on and win MasterChef.

“I’m grateful for that.

“A lot of people are in their family units now, but you never know what is going to happen in 20 or 30 years and who you will be with.

“If you know these sorts of charities are around, to have that support and network is really reassuring.”

Anne Pittham, 72, retired from nursing after more than 50 years in April 2023.

She says the centre has been a lifeline for her.

“Coming here really saved me because I am prone to depression,” says Anne.

“Loneliness could have been the problem for me.

“I found having a structure to my day helps.”

I come about four times a week. If you are not here a couple of times, they will phone you to see if you are all right. And if I’m feeling a bit down, they know. They are ever so kind and considerate.

Lynda Matson, 72

Anne comes to the centre for ­singing, craft sessions, board games and their days out.

She said: “We’ve been to the ­Science Museum, a boat trip on the River Thames.

“There are lots of things I wanted to do but didn’t want to do on my own.”

Lynda Matson, 72, has been attending the centre regularly since April after her husband John, 86, died.

“This is my home from home,” she says.

“I come about four times a week.

“If you are not here a couple of times, they will phone you to see if you are all right.

“And if I’m feeling a bit down, they know.

“They are ever so kind and considerate.”

Its lunch club serves freshly prepared hot meals.

Lynda, who was as a shop assistant in Sainsbury’s before retiring, says the centre has helped her practically.

“You are saving on your heating and you can have proper food,” she says.

“Last year, when my husband wasn’t very well and I couldn’t keep him warm, they said, ‘Don’t heat the house, heat him’.

“I bought him slippers, more clothes and a warm blanket.

“It’s little things like that that have helped.”

The practical advice from the support teams is more in demand than ever since the Government axed the Winter Fuel Payment for hundreds of thousands of pensioners, making the allowance means tested.

Those who receive Pension Credit will keep the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300.

But an estimated 800,000 people eligible for pension credit do not currently claim it so the race is on to make sure they do not miss out.

Roaring success

They have until December 21 to apply and ask for it to be backdated to keep the Winter Fuel Payment.

Amanda Gibson, 54, the centre’s information and advice manager, says: “Our main focus is benefits — housing benefits, council tax support, pension credit, attendance allowance, trying to maximise that person’s income.