Please make a kindness call
Christmas Together campaign aims to tackle loneliness in our communities
A campaign has launched to tackle loneliness and isolation this Christmas- and it’s already won the hearts of residents in South Ayrshire.
The Christmas Together campaign, an initiative of the Together Coalition, seeks to ensure this festive period brings people together.
It is supported by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, alongside high- profile figures including Michael Sheen, Sophie Ellis- Bextor and political leaders.
And Tom Mathers, 59, a retired Air Traffic Controller from Prestwick, along with Michelle Whitelaw, 67 a retired hairdresser and childminder who lives in Ayr, have pledged their full support.
Christmas Together is led by the Together Coalition, a group of organisations helping to build kinder, closer and more connected communities in the aftermath of COVID- 19.
In Scotland, the campaign has partnered with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Kindness Call programme
to pair volunteers with people who are feeling isolated.
The campaign aims to rekindle the community spirit that helped us all get through the darkest days of this year and to make new connections to bring people together and reduce loneliness.
Loneliness in Scotland has increased as a result of the pandemic, according to studies.
While the 2018 Scottish Household Survey found that 21 per cent said they had felt lonely ‘ in the last week’, this rose to 40 per cent in the 2020 wellbeing survey.
Actor and campaigner Michael Sheen said: “Loneliness and social isolation are nothing new, but lockdowns and restrictions have made the crisis even more acute.
“None of us has enjoyed being cut off from company. Imagine how it would feel if your whole life was like that.
“That’s why it’s brilliant that Christmas Together is happening just when it’s needed most.”
Jane- Claire Judson, chief executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Christmas is all about kindness. But there are thousands of Scots who will be alone or isolated over the festive period. All they want for Christmas and the year ahead is someone to talk to. By becoming a Kindness Caller, you will be spreading kindness this Christmas and beyond to help make sure that no one feels alone.”
Ayrshire residents are being asked to do two things- reach out to someone who’d like to hear from you and make sure no one feels alone. Sign up to make a ‘ kindness call’ as a volunteer. Volunteers can sign up at www. chss. org. uk/ together. Those in need of support can ask for help online via www. chss. org. uk/ together or can request a kindness call by calling freephone 0808 8010 899, with lines open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Actor Michael Sheen