A much-loved Gavin and Stacey star has visited a supermarket in Basildon to help launch a unique initiative aimed at easing loneliness this Christmas.
Beloved actor Larry Lamb, known to many as Mick from Gavin & Stacey, officially launched the first “Chatty Café” in the Asda superstore at Heron Retail Park in Basildon yesterday.
The new “Chatty Café” concept by Asda will provide a space for senior citizens to socialise together, eat, drink and make new friends.
This comes after a sobering statistic from Asda’s new Christmas Community report which revealed one in 10 over 60s are expected to spend this Christmas alone.
Larry spent hours chatting to more than 40 senior citizens who attended the grand opening in Basildon, tucking into bowls of soup and a cuppa.
Commenting on his visit to the store in Basildon, Larry said: “It is a privilege and an honour to work with Asda to launch its Chatty Cafés initiative this Christmas.
“I am very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family this time of year, but that is not the case for everyone, and it is so important that we all club together and help combat loneliness.
“It is heartbreaking to think that so many over 60’s in Britain might not speak to anyone at all over the extended Christmas period.
“Asda’s going all out to bring people in this Christmas and make them feel seen and heard and spread a little Christmas joy.
“I would urge everyone to do the same. If there is somebody, anybody – young or old – who you know is going to be struggling for company this Christmas, pick up the phone or go and pay them a visit – and obviously, pay a visit to one of Asda’s Chatty Cafés.”
Asda’s Winter Warmer initiative will run across all Asda Cafés until the end of 2024.
There will be a choice of three soup flavours and the addition of unlimited tea or coffee – all for just £1.
David Hills, chief customer officer at Asda, said: “Our mission this Christmas is to provide everything customers need at our famously low Asda prices.
“Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones and the fact one in ten of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
“That’s why, alongside The Asda Foundation, we are proud to invest almost £1 million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve.
“Our teams do incredible work to support communities all-year-round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many.
“We are pledging to bring people together this festive season and encouraging people across the nation to check in with the elderly in their communities this Christmas.”
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