Scots prefer spending time on social media than with their older relatives

Age Scotland launch new Share What You Love campaign to combat loneliness

New research from charity Age Scotland has revealed a shocking communications gap between the young and old in Scotland, as they launch a new campaign to combat loneliness in the over 65s.

A YouGov survey shows that almost two thirds (60%) of people aged between 18 and 44 prefer to spend time using social media over visiting older friends, relatives or neighbours.

64% of survey respondents also claimed to enjoy going out with friends (to the shops, cinema or pub) over spending time with an over 65.

Sadly less than half (46%) say they only see older relatives once a month but encouragingly, 57% of all those surveyed, would like to spend more time with them.

The research has been commissioned to coincide with the launch of a new campaign by Age Scotland. Share What You Love, has been created by the charity to encourage people to spend even just a small amount of time with an older person doing something you enjoy, in turn giving them the chance to get out of the house, meet new people and feel part of society.

The campaign will contribute to Age Scotland’s mission to cut loneliness in half by 2025. According to the charity, 200,000 older people go at least half a week without a phone call or visit from anyone and this campaign encourages Scots to pledge something that everyone has – time.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “The gap between the younger and older generations in Scotland is widening and we need to do something to bridge it – that’s where Share What You Love comes in.

“Over the next five years if we can get 20,000 people annually to take regular action and share what they love with an older person, we can cut loneliness in Scotland in half. From sharing a hobby to something simple that brings joy - whether it’s going to the cinema, playing a board game or cooking a meal - we believe that we can collectively make a difference. The whole idea behind this campaign is to get people to think and act differently. It’s not about raising money– it’s about people’s attitudes, actions, and their time.”

To create a ripple effect for the campaign, Age Scotland is asking everyone to get involved and #ShareWhatYouLove on social media. Discover more about the campaign at age.scot/ShareWhatYouLove

- ENDS –