Why Donate to Age Scotland?

Did you see our recent campaign featuring Alex, a retired engineer from Motherwell who shared his experience of loneliness? Many people did and were touched by Alex’s story, as well as shocked by the grim reality that more than 100,000 people over 65 in Scotland are chronically lonely. That’s one older person in every street in the country.

Alex’s honest account of living alone, friends and family no longer around and waiting for his weekly friendship call from Age Scotland – ‘these calls mean the world to me’ – highlighted an issue that lies at the heart of our work as a charity.

Maybe Alex’s story prompted you to donate. Or you meant to donate but forgot. It happens.

Perhaps you have been a supporter long before being introduced to Alex (pictured above), and for that, we say a big thank you. For charities like Age Scotland, donations are not just desirable – they are a vital lifeline.

Donations allow us to offer friendship calls to older people in need, and consolidate and expand all of our services, secure in the knowledge that funds will be available.

That’s why we are so grateful for regular donors, like Linda from West Lothian (pictured at the top of the page) who said:

“I was really moved by the recent video with Alex talking about the loneliness of ageing and the importance of friendship calls. I hope my monthly contribution helps Age Scotland keep doing the amazing work they do."

As a charity with an ambition to grow and help more older people, we need more people like Linda to commit to regular giving every month.  

All donations to our charity contribute directly towards positive long-term outcomes for older people across Scotland. But without an increase in regular donations, it simply won’t be possible in the long term to provide the level of advice, information, support, and friendship that we do.

Every donation, however small, helps. However, the truth is that regular donations make the biggest difference because they enable us to plan for the future – a future in which we can do even more to support older people.

As well as Linda, many donors did sign up after hearing Alex’s story, and Alex is delighted. He said,

“I can’t do much on my own, but through Age Scotland, it is nice to know that sharing my story can help people like me,” he said.

We know that, financially, times are tough for many. However, it’s also extremely tough for hundreds of thousands of older people in Scotland who live in poverty, yearn for social connection, friendship or just a sign they are valued by society. Your monthly donation will help us deliver services to improve the lives of those older people who are struggling.

Together we can work to make the lives of older people in Scotland better.