THOUSANDS of Brits rang a bell on their doorsteps this evening to spread “hope and togetherness” this Christmas Eve.
Mum-of-two Mary Beggs-Reid dreamed up the campaign following the popularity of the weekly Clap For Carers during the first Covid lockdown.
THIS Christmas we are teaming up with the Together Campaign, a coalition of community groups and organisations, and Royal Voluntary Service to combat loneliness.
And we want to recruit an army of volunteers to support those feeling cut off, anxious and isolated, this Christmas.
Could YOU reach out to someone who might be struggling and alone?
It might be someone you know in your own life or community who needs support.
Or we can connect you with someone in need through the NHS Volunteer responder programme run by the NHS, Royal Voluntary Service and the GoodSAM app.
Could you give up half an hour to make a call and chat with someone feeling isolated? Or could you volunteer to deliver essential shopping or festive treats?
Go to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/christmastogether to sign up as a volunteer.
You will then receive an email taking you through the sign up process and be asked to download the responder app which will match you to those in need in your area.
Don’t worry if you don’t get a job straight away, because jobs are matched according to the need local to you. Being ready to help is what really matters.
Mary, 41, from Harrogate, North Yorks, has also teamed up with the Together Campaign, a coalition of community groups and organisations, which is urging the public to “give someone a bell” over the festive period.
It is working with the Royal Voluntary Service and The Sun as part of our Christmas Together campaign, aiming to lift the spirits of anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated this Christmas.
Dorset County Hospital staff were pictured ringing their bells enthusiastically to spread festive cheer as part of the campaign.
And Boris Johnson, Carrie Symonds and their son Wilfred were among thousands of Brits across the nation who took to their doorsteps to spread hope as part of the campaign against loneliness.
Mary, a property manager, originally intended to get just her own street involved but after creating a Facebook group in October, word quickly spread.
Now her idea has gone viral, with 445,000 people set to join in to spread festive cheer after a year of hardship.
It comes as strict coronavirus rules have brought agony for millions of Brits, many of whom will not be able to spend Christmas with their family this year.
Ms Beggs-Reid said a bit of positivity “is needed more than ever”.
She added: “For some it will not change anything but for others it will be heartbreaking.
“This will be our happy moment. Covid cannot take this from us, so ring louder.
“This year the Christmas spirit is so needed and for two minutes we can make sure nobody feels alone.”
1 in 5 people who live alone will spend Christmas on their own
60% said they had felt more lonely during the pandemic
37% people know someone who will be spending Christmas alone
16% Brits said they were ‘dreading’ Christmas
52% said they have helped a vulnerable person during the pandemic
4.2 million adults always or often felt lonely during the second national lockdown
16 to 29-year-olds are twice as likely as the over-70s to be experiencing loneliness in the pandemic
£5.9m marked by Government pilot to tackle loneliness
Mary, who lives with her husband Paul, 41, a security manager, and children Eva, 14, and ten-year-old Dexter, last week said local shops have run low on bells as thousands of Brits jumped on board.
She adds: “The manager of Home Bargains in York said they sold out in a day.
“But you don’t need a bell. There are phone apps you can get to recreate the sound, or you could try making your own.
“One lady told me she had put bottle tops in a bag and it sounds just like sleigh bells.”
Mary says if it helps one person feel less alone this Christmas, it will be worth it.
She adds: “It’s a simple idea to show that even at a time when we can’t all be with each other, we can still do something that sends a message of hope and togetherness.”
COULD you call someone feeling lonely this Christmas or deliver essential shopping or festive treats?
Go online to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/christmastogether.
NEED HELP? IF you would like a friendly call or need help with errands, call 0808 196 3646 (open 8am-8pm, seven days a week).
To support the Royal Voluntary Service, text RVS5 to 70570 to donate £5, visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/christmasdonate or call 0800 731 9197.
Texts cost £5 plus one message at your standard network rate. Get bill payer’s permission. UK networks only.
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