Yahoo Finance Asda Delivery Drivers Combat Christmas Loneliness With 'Happy To Chat' Badges
Asda has launched a brilliant new initiative to help combat Christmas loneliness over the festive season.
Working together with the Royal Voluntary Service, the supermarket's new scheme will see delivery drivers wear a red 'Happy to Chat' badge as way to signal they are able to spend a few extra minutes talking to people outside. Wonderfully, this will give anyone feeling lonely the chance to have a face-to-face conversation when receiving their shopping.
For many people around the UK, the festive season can be an incredibly isolating time. Sadly, Asda found that almost 23% of people are only interacting with just one person a week — many of whom are delivery drivers. In fact, 73% said a conversation with a delivery driver can instantly lift their mood.
Elsewhere, 13% of people in the study said they are currently experiencing loneliness, while 39% said they are unable to see friends and family.
Anna-Maree Shaw, CCO of Asda, said: "It's a challenging time for everyone, especially those experiencing loneliness. While ASDA colleagues have always made an effort to have a quick chat and raise a smile, we want to make sure that whether it's in our stores, at the doorstep or in the community – we're here for customers this Christmas."
Vice President of Online Grocery at Asda, Simon Gregg, added: "We've always been proud to have some of the friendliest drivers here at ASDA, and never more so than this year. The Happy to Chat badges are a symbol of the great work they do – delivering a little kindness along with their groceries to someone who may be lonely or isolated."
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