It May be Lonely this Christmas, BUT!

Every year Christmas and the 'festive season' sees an increase in loneliness, but remember that the Samaritans can provide 24 hour emotional support; calls on 116 123 are free. They can also be reached in other ways, and their opening hours and further information is on their website. Many thanks to their volunteers and staff.

There are also places offering free Christmas meals to the homeless and lonely in Hastings, for example, on Christmas Day The London Trader at 4-7 East Beach Street is offering a free Christmas lunch to anyone who wants one, in their words "don't go hungry, miserable or lonely, come in, see us and get fed!" (facebook) Nice one! 👍

Also, Dom's Food Mission is providing dinner on Christmas Day (above), and the Council's website shows other help and food available, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day meals at the Salvation Army in St Andrews Square.

As I've also already said (blog), it's more than just a seasonal problem these days, and foodbanks appear to be with us long term now, and Hastings Foodbank (website) is desperate for certain items:

UHT Milk, Full Fat and Semi-skimmed;

Tinned Meat (but not corned beef and pork);

Tinned Vegetables (especially peas and carrots);

Tinned Fruit;

Coffee.

Also required are:  Toilet Rolls;

Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste);

Tinned Fish;

Tinned Potatoes;

Tinned Rice Pudding;

Jam;

Fruit Juice.

There are Foodbank donation points all over Hastings, and full details of addresses and opening times are at the website, and include the HBC Community Contact Centre (Muriel Matters House), The Hastings Centre (The Ridge), Tesco Extra (St Leonards), Sainsbury's (Station Approach), Asda, Tesco Express (Havelock Road), Morrisons, NatWest Bank (Havelock Road), and Nationwide Building Society branches. 

Stay safe and secure and watch out for each other folks, and much respect to those offering help and charity. Any other places where help can be found, eg free dinners, please feel free to add in comments, cheers!

Don't forget it may be lonely this Christmas...

Again, it is time to remember that, although many people will be celebrating over the coming days, some will not, many being lonely, stressed, and/or isolated, whilst people with long-term or acute mental health problems may lack essential support.

Here is a link providing 12 tips to help with loneliness this Christmas, and don't forget that thousands of Samaritans volunteers will be giving their time over this 'festive season' to listen to people with problems and to provide support (website). The national Samaritans Helpline can be called free on 0800 116123, and Hastings Samaritans are available on 01424 436666 (local charges).

Here's wishing for the people of Hastings and beyond to have an excellent time, but that those who need help and support receive that help and support.

So, Best Wishes and Peace to All, and with many thanks to those who help to keep us safe by working in the NHS and Emergency Services, to those working in other essential services, and to all the volunteers!

It may be lonely this Christmas...

Time to remember that, although many will be celebrating over this coming week, some will not, and in 8 days time, many will be lonely, be stressed, and/or be isolated, whilst people with long-term or acute mental health problems may lack essential support.

Here is a link to 12 tips to help end loneliness this Christmas, and bear in mind that more than 11,000 Samaritans volunteers will be working 123,000 hours over this 'festive season' to listen to people with problems, and to provide support (website). The national Samaritans Helpline can be called free on 0800 116123, and Hastings Samaritans are available on 01424 436666 (local charges).

Here's wishing the people of Hastings have an excellent time over the next couple of weeks, and that those who do need help and support receive that help and support.

Best wishes and peace to all, and thanks to those who work to keep us safe in the NHS and Emergency Services, those working in essential services, and to the volunteers!