Helping to tackle loneliness at Christmas

Why is loneliness important?

Loneliness varies among individuals; some experience it occasionally, while others face chronic loneliness. Prolonged or severe loneliness can heighten the risk of physical conditions like dementia and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Often feeling lonely isn’t talked about. We want to change that!

We can understand that holidays, such as Christmas can often heighten feeling lonely.

Calder & Ryburn’s loneliness drop in

On 20th December, Millie and Caitlyn arranged a drop in at Foundry Street Community Centre to allow people a warm space to socialise and meet local services who run groups in the area. People were allowed time and space to speak to one another with a hot drink and a mince pie, as well as speak with the local services.

Services that attended were:

Age UK, Calderdale & Kirklees

Age UK run a variety of groups for people including a Befriending group.

Home Instead, Calderdale

Home Instead create the localised guide of ‘Whats On Where’ or WOW guide which includes a lot of the activities available in our area.

Ripponden Tuesday 2 O’clock club

Their aim is to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people.

Memory Lane Cafe

Memory Lane Café are a local community group providing support for people affected by dementia, other memory problems, and isolation. They offer a varied and changing programme of games, information, support, cakes and conversation

Foundry Street Community Centre

Foundry Street Community Centre is a beacon of inclusivity, providing a welcoming space where residents can connect, learn, grow, and thrive together.

Healthy Minds

Healthy Minds run a variety of activities such as Safespaces, Befriending and Walks for Wellbeing.