As Christmas fast approaches, we want to bring people together at Simpsons Fish and Chips, and help tackle the widespread issue of loneliness.
There are more than 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK*, with research finding the impact of loneliness on health being as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day**.
That’s why we’re supporting the Campaign To End Loneliness. We’re linking up students and seniors in our Cheltenham Simpsons shop to offer a new discount and dining offer for both to enjoy, with 10% of profits from the meals donated to the charity.
Students and older people can enjoy cod or haddock with chips, sauces and unlimited tea or bottomless coffee for just £10 from 11.45am to 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
The charity Campaign to End Loneliness suggest people wanting to reach out to neighbours should pop a note through their door, asking if they’d like to meet at Simpsons to sit down and enjoy fish and chips together.
We’ve already seen such positive outcomes since launching the campaign. Our message to young and old is if you don’t want to eat alone, come to Simpsons. All you need to do is turn up, settle down, and enjoy your meal, and of course have a good old chinwag.
The offer will continue into the new year with the hope that conversations started over fish and chips at Simpsons this Christmas, will form into new friendships come 2019.
Know someone who could benefit from lunch and a laugh at Simpsons? Bring them along – we’d love to say hi!
* Age UK 2016, No-one should have no one
** Loneliness, living alone and poor social connections are as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Holt-Lunstad, 2010)