Age UK and St Paul’s Cathedral annual Love Christmas carol concert to support older people this festive season

Age UK’s much-anticipated Love Christmas carol concert took place on Thursday 5th December 2024 at the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, where it raised vital funds for Age UK’s Christmas campaign, Together, we’re not alone.

Loneliness and social isolation are year-round problems but winter, and Christmas especially, can be particularly tough - 1 million older people say they are more isolated at Christmas than any other time of the year[i]. The funds raised for the campaign will help older people who are facing loneliness and isolation through the Charity’s essential national services, including the Telephone Friendship Service, The Silver Line Helpline and Advice Line, which provide a lifeline for older people with no one else to turn to.

This year’s concert was truly special, featuring performances and readings from a host of renowned figures. Highlights included a heartfelt musical performance by Ella Henderson, accompanied by her grandmother, Nanny Eileen, musical performances by the Chelsea Pensioners, St Paul’s Cathedral Consort and special readings from Age UK supporters Dame Penelope Wilton, Sir Tony Robinson, Don Warrington and Penny Smith.

Ella Henderson headline performer on the night said: “Age UK’s Love Christmas carol concert is such a fantastic event, and this year was extra special as I performed with my Nanny Eileen, one of my greatest inspirations. It’s a night I’ll always remember! Bringing people together to celebrate while supporting such an important cause is a true honour.”

Age UK supporter Don Warrington, said: “Age UK’s Love Christmas is such a magical event, bringing together friends, family, and communities to celebrate the season. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to support Age UK’s vital work. The funds raised tonight will help more older people feel supported and connected this Christmas and beyond.”

Age UK can’t be there without the public’s support, which is why the Charity is asking everybody to donate what they can this Christmas. Age UK promises to help change the lives of older people. Together, we’re not alone.

To donate, please visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/christmasappeal. Age UK has also launched a new Loneliness Guide which features the Charity’s latest information and advice on the subject as well as bringing together lived experiences from different focus groups. This can be found here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/loneliness-guide.

Age UK

Age UK believes every older person should be valued and included. We’re working locally, nationally and internationally to change the way we age.

Together with our partners, we’re changing the day-to-day experience of getting older through essential services and local support – like help at home, exercise classes and digital inclusion. Local Age UKs deliver these services, using their expert knowledge of their area to transform older people’s health, wellbeing and finances.

Our specialist, impartial advice is changing how older people feel when they face a challenging issue – whether it’s care, money, health or housing. A call to our free advice line, a visit to our website, or a face-to-face appointment at a local Age UK can help change older people’s worries into answers.

Our friendship services are changing the issue of loneliness among older generations. From weekly chats on the phone and local in-person befriending to round the clock support from our Silver Line Helpline, we’re changing loneliness and isolation into comfort and connection.

We’re an expert voice on ageing, changing the way older people are treated and represented in society through research and campaigning. We work with local, national and international policymakers to challenge inequalities and push for the changes that’ll improve older people’s lives.

Through Age International we are changing the lives of older people facing emergencies and long-term challenges in low and middle-income countries.

Your support makes our work possible. By donating, campaigning and volunteering, you’ll help change older people’s lives – now and in the future. 

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Isabelle Bettany

Senior Media Officer (PR)

Age UK 7th floor, One America Square | 17 Crosswall | London | EC3N 2LB

T 020 3033 0627 E [email protected] W www.ageuk.org.uk

[i] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone polling for Age UK, November 2024 (weighted sample of 2755 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 2nd and 29th October 2024) and ONS mid-year 2023 population estimates (published 8th October 2024). All statistics are drawn from this polling unless otherwise stated.