Blog: How we can all make the world a kinder, less lonely, place

Work, school, commuting, housework – and now the countdown to Christmas – it’s all too easy to rush through life on autopilot. Bus and train journeys are often spent hunched over smartphones, unaware of what’s going on around us.

The ironic thing is, despite the ubiquity of phones, we’re calling each other less than ever before. New research suggests that the social phone call is fast becoming a thing of the past, with one in four of us making fewer than five calls a month.

As our lives get busier, it’s all too easy to forget the value of simple things such as a friendly chat with a neighbour, a call with a grandparent, or a catch-up over a cup of tea.

Yet these things can make a huge difference to the 282,000 older people in Scotland who say they feel lonely most of the time. Even something as simple as a few words at the bus stop or a helping hand with the shopping can really brighten someone’s day.

Each November 13 we celebrate World Kindness Day, a day to highlight the good deeds around us and the common thread of kindness that unites us. It’s the perfect time to reach out to those around us who might be feeling lonely and isolated.

At Age Scotland, we see fantastic examples of kindness every day. It’s truly inspiring to see the work of volunteers of all ages, who give up their time to run lunch clubs, community transport, befriending projects and more. They’re the real unsung heroes who provide a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

But even if you don’t have time to volunteer, there are plenty of ways you can help in your everyday life.

Instead of feeling impatient in the supermarket queue, why not start a conversation with the person next to you? Take a few minutes to greet your neighbours in the morning, and see how they’re doing? After scraping your car or clearing your path in icy weather, see if someone else needs a hand?

These things might seem small, but older people say that they can really lift their spirits, especially if they typically go days or even a week without speaking to anyone.

Age Scotland’s Share What You Love campaign highlights the ways we can all tackle loneliness together - and World Kindness Day is the perfect day to get started!

We’re encouraging people to share something they already enjoy with an older friend, relative, or neighbour. It could be baking a cake, going to a football match, gardening, taking the dog for the walk, or simply watching a favourite TV programme together. Anyone can get involved, and our aim is to cut loneliness in half (or even less!) by 2025.

As days get colder and darker, winter can be a lonely time of year, especially for the tens of thousands of older people who face Christmas on their own. So why not join in, share your story on social media, and help us make Scotland a kinder place?