Tear-jerking video reveals what it’s like to spend every day alone, with Christmas being worst of all A short film featuring an elderly man who spends every day alone provides a grim insight into the UK’s loneliness […]

A short film featuring an elderly man who spends every day alone provides a grim insight into the UK’s loneliness epidemic – with Christmas only making people feel more isolated.

The minute-long video focuses on the life of John, who leaves messages on his answer machine asking for interaction from others.

‘Please, leave a message’

“Hello, this is John. I’m not in at the moment but you can leave a message for me. Please, leave a message.”

The i newsletter latest news and analysis Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

He stares out of his window before eating breakfast alone. His main social interaction is with the cashier at his local supermarket.

As John returns home from the shop he smiles at the young family next door, a routine we see repeated day by day.

Summer turns to October, then October turns to Christmas. John records new answering messages as the months go by to encourage callers to leave him a message.

Each day, when he returns home, the only message he receives is a notification telling him he has no new messages.

Loneliness epidemic

The video, produced by Age UK, raises awareness about the loneliness epidemic which affects 1.2 million elderly people in England.

Nearly a million (928,000) people aged 65 and over feel that Christmas time makes them feel even more isolated and lonely, according to the charity’s statistics.

Age UK estimates that the majority of these people, 873,000, don’t see or hear from someone for days on end over the festive period.

‘No one teaches you about loneliness’

Roy, an 85 year old widower, told Age UK: “I spent every day for 55 years with my beautiful wife and getting used to life without her has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Not a day goes by when I don’t miss her dearly.

“No one teaches you about loneliness and until it happens to you, you don’t realise just how devastating loneliness is. I’m incredibly grateful for Age UK’s befriending service and my local Age UK. I have a weekly phone call and visit from wonderful volunteers, and feel much more positive and confident now.

“Anybody who is feeling lonely and missing their loved ones this Christmas should sign up for this service – it’s a lifeline.”

How you can help

Age UK offer elderly people who suffer from loneliness friendship calls.

People over the age of 18 can volunteer to call an elderly person with similar interests and hobbies once a week for 30 minutes.