Asda adds new item to colleague uniform to help combat loneliness

Statistics come from Asda’s latest Christmas Community tracker, which surveyed over 2,000 people across the UK, the report highlights that the lack of human interaction and conversations is the biggest worry older people will suffer during the festive period.

So Asda has relaunched it’s ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative for across the festive period, where colleagues have the option to add a new element to their uniform: a ‘Happy to Chat’ badge to let customers know they’re happy to have a quick chat with them whilst shopping.    

The initiative first launched as a trial in November 2000 in conjunction with the Royal Voluntary Service after it was recognised that the drivers formed a lifeline for some people throughout the covid pandemic, with almost a quarter (23%) of customers admitting they were only interacting with people once a week. Asda continued with the initiative at key times of the year bringing it instore as well as through its delivery service.

In addition, Asda Foundation is supporting over 550 community groups through its Better Together grants, which bring people together, reduce social isolation, and support those most in need during the winter months. By the end of 2025, the Asda Foundation will have invested over £60 million into communities across the UK over the last 36 years – strengthening local connections and making a lasting impact nationwide.

Asda’s Community Champions across Northern Ireland and the UK are helping organise grants from the Asda Foundation to bring people together and reduce isolation in the winter months, making donations to spread a little festive cheer, wearing Happy to Chat badges so people who may otherwise be on their own know they've got someone to talk to, and inviting choirs and bands to perform Christmas carols and songs in our stores.

One of the groups Asda Foundation has supported is the Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society. Community Champion at Asda Antrim, Ashley Ritchie, helped the group secure a £600 grant to allow them to host an intergenerational boccia tournament, with the over-55s set to play against a local primary school in the new year.

Last Christmas, research conducted by Asda showed that almost one in five over 60s (17 per cent) said there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul in the run up to Christmas and 15 per cent said they got used to not conversing with other people.

One in ten over 60’s said they’d gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person. Worryingly, 42 per cent said their mental health suffered because of their lack of interaction with others.

Asda Dundonald Community Champion Sharon Wilson, wearing the badge said: “Christmas can be a challenging and lonely time for many people, making conversation and connection incredibly important. People sometimes come shopping just for some company and a sense of belonging. We know the most important thing you can do is listen, ask them how they are and let them know you are there if they ever want to talk. I, for one, love to chat to everyone and anyone.”

Also, this Christmas, Asda is encouraging over 60s to visit their local Asda store with a café to enjoy a ‘Winter Warmer’– the hugely popular £1 deal that offers over 60’s a hearty soup, bread, unlimited team and coffee.

Tracy Butler, Senior Manager for the Asda Foundation said “Millions of people are very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family at this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and that’s why we are investing over half a million pounds to bring communities together to help combat loneliness.

“It’s heartbreaking to think that so many over 60’s might not speak to anyone at all over the Christmas period, we are going all out to bring people as many people together as possible this Christmas. We would urge everyone to do the same. If there’s 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.”