Loneliness is a reality for an estimated 15,589 people in North Hertfordshire and Stevenage, and for many, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time. While others gather with family and friends, these individuals face the festive season alone, often without anyone to speak to or share the festivities with.

Garden House Hospice Care's Compassionate Neighbours Service, is driven by volunteers and dedicated to reducing this isolation by connecting lonely, frail, and vulnerable people in the community with trained volunteers with a similar interest. This life-changing initiative has already matched hundreds of individuals with volunteers who provide regular companionship and support. The service also runs weekly Wellbeing Hubs, which offer more than 400 attendees opportunities to exercise, engage in talks, and simply connect with others.

At Christmas, Compassionate Neighbours goes a step further, organising a special Christmas Day Party and ensuring volunteers make the festive period brighter for those struggling with loneliness.

"In 2023 my friend Jo and I went to six funerals, all close family. Until the invitation to come to the Christmas lunch we thought we would be on our own and we didn't even get anything in for the day. Well, we ended up having a day we were not expecting. We laughed all day and we are so grateful."- Community Member, Amber, who attended the 2023 Christmas Party.

However, demand for this service is growing, and the charity is struggling to meet it. The service has improved the mental and physical health of participants, reducing symptoms of frailty, and providing critical connections to other hospice services. But to expand and support more people, Compassionate Neighbours needs your help.

To continue meeting the rising demand, Garden House Hospice Care needs to raise £491,000 to train more volunteers, open additional Wellbeing Hubs, and recruit a dedicated nurse to better integrate the scheme with hospice services. This will allow the organisation to support even more individuals throughout the festive season and beyond.

The appeal will benefit people like Carol, who spent her first Christmas without her husband Mick alone, describing the day as feeling "blank."

Christmas was usually quiet for Carol and her husband, Mick. His health had been bad for a few years, but they would make a Christmas dinner and buy a few luxuries. Mick died on 1st December 2020. Carol reflects:

"My first one without him felt blank. He was supported by Garden House Hospice Care which was wonderful. But the following weeks were manic, confusing and horrible. I don't have any family, I'm an only child and my closest friends have all died.

"I spent my Christmas alone."

"I've only just started attending one of the new Wellbeing Hubs, but Jeanne has been my Compassionate Neighbour for a few years now. Our first Christmas after we met, she welcomed me into her home to spend the day with her family. It was so lovely simply to be with someone!

"When you're alone, you lose your personality because there is nobody there to share your personality with. I felt like I was losing myself, floating around in an abyss. I don't know what I would have done without Jeanne.

"Last year, I went to the Compassionate Neighbour Christmas party. I made an effort getting ready and put on my Christmas jumper - it feels good to get a bit dressed up. It makes such a difference knowing I can go again this year too."