A Harrow volunteer is urging people to take a minute during the Christmas rush and to think of others this holiday season.  

Andrew Samuels is a volunteer at Harrow Leisure Centre in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, and has worked at Mind, the mental health charity in Hillingdon for two years.

He is part of a group who have been running Active Community Mondays, which are sessions that provide older adults the opportunity to get active and meet new people in a safe environment.

The sessions began on Monday November 14 and the last one will take place next Monday December 12.

They include light exercise such as Tai Chi, a chance to socialise over a cup of tea or coffee, group exercises and a talk from a local organisation such as the fire brigade. 

Mr Samuels said that people are so busy during Christmas, and on times, older people can be forgotten and left on their own. 

He said: “These sessions are a chance for people to make friends, connections and contacts in the community, they have worked really well.  

“What we have learnt from the sessions, that so many people didn’t know about the police 101 non-emergency number, if they suspected that something was going on and it was worrying them.

"We were told of one worrying incident, where an older woman was stuck in her home for two days, and no one knew where she was. Fortunately, a waitress at a café where this woman visited very day, raised the alarm and managed to find out where this old lady lived. Thankfully she was ok.

“I realise everyone is busy with Christmas shopping already, and TV adverts are almost blackmailing people into what to buy this holiday with cheap deals but it's important to think of others, especially older people."

The team is planning more sessions in the New Year, and for more information, email harrowinfo@everyoneactive.com or call 020 8901 5980.