Morrisons hosting free pensioners’ Christmas lunches in its cafes

There’ll be a two-course meal, crackers, gifts, and a warm, social environment, perfect to meet new friends or celebrate with old ones.

The 400 lunchtime meals will be available in Morrisons Cafés on December 11, with a hearty lunch menu, with meals such as traditional liver and onions, minced beef stew or a vegetable chilli available.

Dessert options include panettone bread and butter pudding with custard, or a traditional mince pie.

The Morrisons Foundation will also be funding transport to and from the cafés for all guests and Age UK staff, meaning those enjoying the meal needn’t worry about travel, especially during the cold and dreary days.

All lunch events will begin at 1.30pm, with some cafés putting on a spread for up to 20 people and Morrisons Community Champions will ensure every guest leaves with a gift.

Research by Age UK as part of its recently launched campaign, A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight, highlights that around 1 million older people say they are more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year.

While many enjoy celebrating festive traditions together, Age UK found that one in three (4 million) older people won’t be putting up a Christmas tree this year and 1.5 million will be eating dinner alone on Christmas Day.

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Holli Kellett, Charity Specialist, at Morrisons says: “We are proud to partner once again with local Age UKs this Christmas, offering not only a free meal but also a chance for people who may be spending the season alone to come together.

“We recognise that this time of year can feel particularly isolating for many older members of our communities, so we’re opening the doors of our in-store cafés to provide a warm and festive space and a little Christmas cheer.”

Pippa Lock, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at Age UK adds: “Christmas should be a time of joy, but for many older people across the UK, it can feel lonely and isolating.

“Winter only adds to these challenges, with shorter days and reduced services making it even harder to stay connected. It’s a crisis hidden in plain sight.

“That’s why we’re so grateful to Morrisons for once again showing such kindness and generosity by providing festive meals to older people and helping them feel more connected at a time they need it most.”

Alongside the Age UK free lunches, further activity this Christmas includes a £50,000 donation from the Morrisons Foundation to fund one hundred of Royal Voluntary Service’s festive spreads and the recent Talking Tills partnership with ITV to offer a slower checkout experience for those who want a chat while they checked out.