Find support through our Sandwell Together telephone befriending service
For many people, Christmas is painted as the happiest time of the year—full of warm lights, crowded tables, and effortless joy. But behind the sparkle, a lot of people quietly experience something very different:- loneliness.
We don’t talk about it often, yet loneliness at Christmas is incredibly common. Social expectations, financial pressure, loss, and life transitions can make the season feel heavy instead of magical. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.
Loneliness isn’t always about being physically alone. You can feel isolated in a crowded room if you don’t feel connected, supported, or seen. This emotional loneliness is often the hardest to talk about because it can feel out of step with what the holidays are “supposed” to look like.
But the truth is: many people are struggling silently while believing they’re the only one who feels this way. Breaking that illusion is important. Loneliness is a human experience—not a personal failure.
Below are some examples of how loneliness can manifest in this holiday season:-
- The Pressure of “perfect” holidays
Every advert, movie, and social media post shows flawless families and nonstop laughter. When reality doesn’t match that picture, it can amplify the feeling of being out of place. - Grief and loss hit harder
Missing someone who has passed away—or even someone who’s simply no longer in your life—becomes more intense when traditions and memories resurface. - Distance and disconnection
People who live far from family, are navigating a breakup, or don’t feel understood by those around them often feel the gap more deeply in December - Life transitions
A recent move, a new job, a changing friendship circle—all can leave you feeling unanchored during a season built around familiarity.
What is the Sandwell Together Telephone Befriending Service?
The Sandwell Together Telephone Befriending Service was created in March 2020 and has provided emotional support and addressed issues such as loneliness, anxiety and depression by allowing people to discuss their feelings with a supportive listening ear to over 400 people. The beneficiaries of this service are predominantly older people, often living alone and without family support, close by.
Sandwell Together is delivered by team of volunteers, who are trained and supported by a member of the Sandwell Advocacy Staff Team. Calls are made at the time and date requested by the person and this includes out of hours and weekends, which is unique for this type of service.
In a recent survey of service users, the following positive feedback was received –
- ‘____ is a credit to you, she’s brilliant’
- ‘she’s a lovely person, it helps to have someone to speak to’
- ‘without _____ I wouldn’t have got to where I am now, she’s built up my confidence, I’d give her 5 stars, a perfect match’
- ‘I really look forward to her calls’
- ‘she’s been a great friend to me she always rings and never forgets….we’ve got a friendship together….helps me with a lot of things’
- ‘she’s been a really good help, I’ve been on a journey with her from where I really didn’t want to be here’
Loneliness doesn’t mean your story is bleak—it just means you’re human in a season that sometimes asks too much of the heart. Christmas doesn’t need to be loud or crowded to be meaningful. It can be gentle, quiet, imperfect, and still full of hope.
If you’re feeling lonely this Christmas, you deserve care, connection, and compassion—starting with the way you treat yourself.
If you would like more information about the Sandwell Together Telephone Befriending Service, please review our website on www.sandwelladvocacy.org or telephone 0121 520 8070.