Support available in West Sussex
Dr Tim Fooks, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, has highlighted the following organisations which can help people in West Sussex experiencing loneliness.
He said: “Age UK is expecting its free Telephone Friendship Service and Silver Line helpline to be very popular again over the festive season. As they say: “No one should have no one.”
“Time to Talk Befriending is a multi-award winning charity that has developed an outstanding intergeneration al model to support those who are isolated in the Worthing area.
“For younger people, organisation such as Sussex Clubs for Young People are using the Lonely but Not Alone national campaign to raise awareness and support and the YMCA has a chaplain in Crawley, Horsham and Worthing who links up with those who feel on their own.
“With the support of West Sussex County Council and the local borough and district councils, the infrastructure community action charities are working to support the many local action groups, churches and faith organisations who want to continue to reach out to the isolated.
“However, all these groups and organisations depend on those who are lonely being brought to their attention.
“This is where all of us have a role to play because the alleviation of loneliness begins with an awareness of the possibility of loneliness, and the ‘ordinary magic’ of being good neighbours who ‘stop, listen and have a chat’.”
Anyone struggling this Christmas can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@ samaritans.org
To donate to Worthing Samaritans this festive season, visit www. samaritans.org/branches/ worthing