Christmas loneliness fears over cost of living crisis

A poll conducted by YouGov has found that as money woes continue to bite, more and more people are expecting to see less of their loved ones this Christmas.

It has prompted a rallying cry for people to look out for their neighbours amid fears loneliness will worsen as a result of people tightening their purse strings to cope with the rising cost of food and fuel.

The survey showed that 36pc of adults said that money worries meant they anticipate spending less time than usual with their friends and family this winter.

And more than a quarter of the participants - 27pc - said they believed stressing over the cost of living would make them feel less sociable and as a result avoid contact with others.

It has been labelled by experts at charity Camerados as "a cost of connection crisis".

Bill Ashton, chairman of Norwich Open Christmas, said he shared the fears of a prevalence of loneliness.

The annual event will be returning to St Andrew's Hall in the city this year, after two years of Covid disruption, and Mr Ashton expects more people to turn to it than ever before.

Mr Ashton said: "We never know quite how many people we will have come along, but in 2019 we had around 550 and we are anticipating there being quite a lot more this year.

"We do think there will be a lot of people who are lonely at Christmas and we're particularly worried about people being cold because of the cost of putting heating on."

The event provides a free dinner to anybody that has nowhere else to turn on Christmas Day - and Mr Ashton believes more people may partake this year rather than pay to cook their own meals and heat their homes.

He also urged people to rediscover the kind of community spirit which saw people connect with their neighbours during Covid lockdowns.

He said: "The best thing you can do is look out for the people around you. If you're worried about a neighbour for example, drop in, don't just send a WhatsApp message.

"It is the small things like this that make a big difference."

Meanwhile, Norfolk's libraries are being converted into "warm spaces" throughout the winter in an effort to combat fuel poverty and loneliness.

Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for communities, said: "The Christmas and New Year period is an exciting, fun and happy time for many, but can be a sad and lonely one for others.

"We can all play a part in reaching out to those who live alone, are lonely, or who feel isolated - not just at Christmas but any time of the year.

"During the dark and cold winter months, all 47 of our libraries are providing free, warm and welcoming spaces throughout Norfolk and while they won't be open throughout the entire holiday period, in the run-up to the festive holidays and into the New Year they will provide a place for companionship and support."

The measure is part of a national campaign called Warm Welcomes, which establishes community spaces to make sure people are not left to suffer on their own through the winter months.

The voluntary sector in the region is also providing a range of ways people can help to alleviate loneliness across the winter.

Age UK Norfolk offers a befriending service for people aged 50 and over and is seeking volunteers to get involved.

Support is also available from organisations such as Norfolk and Waveney Mind, Voluntary Norfolk and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

The NCF has launched an annual campaign - Surviving Winter - which is geared at supporting people facing loneliness and fuel poverty over the winter months.

Claire Cullens, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “We know this winter will be one of the harshest for many people, both financially and physically. 

"Together, we can ensure that everyone has a place to go where they can feel warm, welcome and well this winter.”