A new postcard project is aiming to create festive connections between children and older people to ease loneliness at Christmas.
Festive Friends postboxes will be on hand in a Scottish supermarket chain to allow shoppers with little ones to share a favourite poem or joke.
Postcards will be distributed to 90 of Age Scotland’s community groups hosting a Christmas event throughout late November and December, funded by Age Scotland grants.
Postboxes will be in all Scottish Aldi stores until Sunday, November 19.
Stacey Kitzinger, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Age Scotland, said: "We’re delighted to team up with Aldi to help spread some festive cheer this winter and make a difference to the lives of older people in communities across Scotland.
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"While many of us are looking forward to spending the festive season with family and friends, it is heartbreaking to think that the equivalent of one older person in every street in Scotland feels lonely all or most of the time.
"The festive period is an opportunity for communities and generations to come together.
"That’s why we’re encouraging younger shoppers and their families to add some sparkle to an older person’s day this winter and share their favourite poem or joke on Aldi’s Festive Friends postcard.
"Money is tight for many, but reaching out doesn’t have to cost anything and knowing someone is thinking of them could be the best gift an older person feeling lonely receives this winter."
Age Scotland has member groups in communities around the country; for many older people, this will be one of the biggest social events, if not the only social event, they will attend this winter.
Aldi Scotland will also be donating £1000 to Age Scotland to support 200 calls on its Friendship Line, a free telephone service which older people can call to have a friendly chat during their day, to help combat feelings of isolation.
The campaign has launched off the back of recent findings from Age Scotland’s Big Survey, which indicated that almost two-thirds of older people don’t feel valued for their contribution to society.
The campaign aims to remind them of the joy of shared friendships and people thinking of them, near and far.
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Richard Holloway, Regional Director at Aldi Scotland, added: "This is a fantastic partnership which should make a really positive difference to people living in communities right across Scotland.
"There is a wonderful opportunity here to light up someone’s day through the words of children and young people.
"Age Scotland does excellent work, and we hope the support of our shoppers will continue to help those most in need, especially those who are feeling particularly isolated this winter season."
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