John Lewis to donate £1m to charities tackling loneliness this Christmas

The John Lewis Partnership will donate over £1 million "to spread Christmas cheer" through a network of charities helping people suffering from loneliness who may otherwise be excluded from festive events and celebrations.

The ‘Connections at Christmas’ initiative is being rolled out to all John Lewis and Waitrose stores to support thousands of elderly, homeless and vulnerable young people through donations to hundreds of local charities.

Though social isolation impacts all ages and all walks of life, according to Age UK around 1.5 million older people "feel more lonely at Christmas than any other time of the year".

‘Connections at Christmas’ will support charities and groups in whichever way will benefit them the most, either in the form of products or as cash.

Lindsey Crompton, Lead on Social Impact & Health for the John Lewis Partnership, said: "We don’t want anyone to miss out on time with others at Christmas. We hope these donations will help to spread the festive joy.

"Feeling isolated or excluded at any time of year takes its toll mentally, but Christmas is when it's at its harshest. Partners who work in our shops are passionate about supporting people in their communities all year round, but particularly want to make a real difference to many people’s Christmas experience."

One of the charities receiving a donation is The Felix Project, which helps to combat child hunger across London. The funding given by John Lewis on Oxford Street and local Waitrose stores "will help families in need to have Christmas lunch together".

John Lewis at the Trafford Centre in Manchester has also donated £1,600 to Together Dementia Support to help fund a Christmas gathering for carers of people living with dementia in their local community, as well as a further £1,600 to Cyril Flint, "a befriending charity" also based in the Trafford area. The charity is using the funding to help support two festive events for their service users and volunteers this Christmas.