Support for loneliness at Christmas

I know that Christmas - this year especially - can be a lonely time of year for many. If you are experiencing loneliness, isolation, or other mental health difficulties, there are many local and national charities that may be able to help. This could involve full-on mental health support, or maybe just a friendly chat on the phone to help get through a low moment. Don't suffer in silence - the first step is reaching out to people who can help. 

Local charities and support groups are listed below:

• Clanfield Care Voluntary Support Group
  • 0800 011 4842

• Rowlands Castle Good Neighbours Scheme
  • 0845 519 66 41
  • http://rowlandscastle.com/RcgnDir/Rcgn.html
  • http://rowlandscastle.com/RcgnDir/RcgnTogethelp.html

• Bramdean & Hinton Ampner Support Group - offering emotional support
  • Alex Green 07539 394141
  • Anna Cox 07887 996675

• Cheriton Parish Council – Offering befriending and emotional support
  • Brenda Sims – 01962 771375 or 07971 528060 - [email protected]

• Shirrell Heath (Wickham Parish Council) – Offering emotional support
  • 01329 835019
  • [email protected]

• Southwick & Widley Parish Council Neighbourhood Buddy System – offering friendly phone calls
  • 02380 463228 or 07534 770164
  • [email protected]

• Soberton COVID-19 Group – offering emotional support
  • 07766 914465 or 07540 720089

• Community First (based in Leigh Park, Havant) – Offer a befriending service providing phone calls/contact to those who are isolated/lonely
  • 0300 500 8085

• Off the record – Based in Leigh Park Havant – Free Confidential Support service specifically for 11-25 year olds
  • 02392 785999 or 02392 474724

National charities are listed below:

• Samaritans
  • 116123
  • https://www.samaritans.org/

• Silverline – confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people
  • 0800 470 80 90
  • https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

• MIND – Ways to help yourself in a crisis and tips to manage loneliness
  • https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/
  • https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/tips-to-manage-loneliness/

• NHS Volunteer Responders – Check in and Chat service
  • 0800 196 36 46

• Shout – Crisis text line – for support with anxiety, depression or any mental health crisis
  • 85258
  • https://giveusashout.org/

• Campaign to end loneliness – advice offered through website
  • https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/feeling-lonely/

• NHS Every Mind Matters – advice for how to help someone with mental health challenges
  • https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/helping-others/

• Childline – advice on how to cope during Christmas for families/young people
  • 0800 11 11
  • https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/seasonal-events/christmas/

• Age Concern
  • https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/