Growing older doesn't have to mean growing lonely

The Red Box Project started 21 months ago in Portsmouth and now has 2,000 active Red Boxes in schools and other places of education across the UK, ensuring young people have access to free sanitary wear whenever they need them - no questions asked. We're proud to support the scheme and have red boxes to collect donations in all of our local offices. We are collecting donations of sanitary towels (but not tampons), knickers and tights in various sizes. All donations are very gratefully received and go to benefit pupils at Co-op Academy Manchester. For more details on the cause, visit http://www.northwardshousing.co.uk/about-us/news/articles/fighting-period-poverty/

According to Age UK, 3.6 million older people in the UK live alone. Christmas can be an especially lonely time for lots of people. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Retired not Expired is our campaign to help combat loneliness by sharing inspiring stories and encouraging people to try something new. Like joining a choir! Each year, rather than spend money on sending paper Christmas cards, we make an E-Christmas Card like this one and donate the money to charity. This year, we'll be donating to local charity The Chatterbox Project, Blackley. Our Christmas card stars Northwards tenant Linda Carver and features the Golden Voices Community Choir (Manchester), which is open to anyone over the age of 50. You can discover more about them here: http://www.northwardshousing.co.uk/about-us/news/articles/the-friendliest-choir-in-town/ Singing’s not for everyone, so if you’re older or if you know someone who could do with getting out and about, there’s pretty much something for everyone here: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200091/older_people/7113/events_things_to_do_and_local_contacts