Christmas 2018: How to help people who are feeling lonely during the festive period

With Christmas widely regarded as a time of year that's best spent with family and friends, it can be an especially lonely period for those who don't have any close loved ones around.

Statistics released by Age UK show that half a million older people in the UK expect to feel lonely this Christmas.

And the charity discovered that 300,000 people over the age of 65 have gone a month without having a conversation with a friend or relative.

There are multiple ways of helping people who are experiencing loneliness throughout the year, and perhaps even more so over Christmas.

A simple way of reaching out to someone who's lacking in human contact is to have a friendly conversation with them on the phone.

At Independent Age, volunteers spend around 20 to 30 minutes a week speaking on the phone with older people who may not otherwise have many opportunities to engage in conversation with others.

The charity explains that talking with an older person regularly on the phone can "empower them, improve their wellbeing and help build their self-esteem."

The role involves talking on the phone on a weekly or fortnightly basis, ideally for a minimum period of 12 months.

Often small things that many of us take for granted, such as a homemade Christmas card, can have a huge impact on someone else.

The Rainbow Cards Project is an organisation that sends cards to members of the LGBT+ community who may have been shunned by their families due to their sexual orientation.

"These people are often ostracised and outcast by their family, and not receiving a card on their birthday or during the holidays can be a very clear and upsetting statement of rejection, especially during these times that are supposed to be so full of love," the charity writes.

You can get involved by writing a card, pledging to write on a monthly or annual basis or donating to the organisation.

Kindly is also running a similar scheme, in which people are encouraged to send Christmas cards to older people who may be feeling alone around this time of year.

As chef Yotam Ottolenghi once said: "Food can bring people together in a way nothing else could."

One of the most highly anticipated elements of the Christmas period is the festive food that's served throughout, from roast turkey to mince pies.

With that in mind, why not demonstrate that you're thinking about someone by making them a delicious meal?

Casserole Club is an organisation that encourages volunteers to share extra portions of home-cooked food with people living near them who may not be able to always cook for themselves.

You can get involved with the initiative by cooking some food for a neighbour or providing the name of someone who could do with a home-cooked meal.

There are numerous ways that you can connect with the elderly and forge real, authentic friendships with fascinating people.

Contact the Elderly runs monthly tea parties during which groups of people over the age of 75 come together to socialise and enjoy a fun Sunday afternoon.

You can also reach out and befriend older people by working with organisations such as Friends of the Elderly.

The website offers a variety of opportunities, including the chance to become a Visiting Friends volunteer.

"Old friends dwindle and you begin to feel very isolated," said one person who's forged a friendship with a volunteer through the scheme.

"To know that someone remembers you is very reassuring."

If you don't feel as though you have the time to commit to weekly phone conversations or you don't think you have the culinary skills to cook a meal for a neighbour, then another way of helping people who are feeling lonely is by taking part in the festive fun that's happening on Christmas Day.

When you enter your postcode on the Community Christmas website, you'll be presented with a list of events taking place on Christmas Day that you can get involved in, including festive lunches at care homes and community halls.

The organisation provides information regarding which events are in need of volunteers, in addition to phone numbers for the event organisers should you need more details.