Christmas Together show planned across the Hits Radio Network

Hits Radio has partnered with Better Health-Every Mind Matters to offer support and advice during a very special show on Christmas Day.

Christmas Together will unite listeners across the UK during Christmas lunch, to provide companionship and entertainment to those who may be feeling lonely this Christmas.

The special festive show, hosted by Steve Furnell, will air from 1pm-4pm, and is being supported by the government’s mental health initiative, Better Health-Every Mind Matters.

Stars including Tom Grennan, George Ezra, Fleur East, Jason Manford and Mo Gilligan will join the networked show, taking part in an interactive quiz – which anyone listening can play along with online. There will also be an exclusive cover of a Christmas classic from British pop star Ella Henderson and several more special surprises.

Throughout Christmas Together, mental health campaign Better Health-Every Mind Matters will provide helpful tips and resources to help listeners lift someone out of loneliness, by encouraging small acts of kindness which in turn can help us all to feel less lonely this festive season. Listeners can also generate a Mind Plan, where they can get a personalised, mental health action plan with practical tips to deal with loneliness, anxiety and stress, boost their mood and sleep better.

You can find out more about Better Health-Every Mind Matters and the help they can provide here.

Paul Gerrard, Hits Radio Programme Director said: ‘Even before the recent pandemic, radio has long been a source of comfort and companionship for so many people across the UK suffering from loneliness. And that feeling can be heightened on a day like Christmas Day when the focus is very much on spending time with family and friends.

“Christmas Together is our way of offering that companionship and comfort and we’d love as many people as possible to listen in take part in the quiz, get in touch with Steve, use the advice and help from Every Mind Matters online resources and hopefully feel that there are people out there who understand and want to listen.”

The idea for Christmas Together comes following Bauer Media’s own mental health initiative ‘Where’s Your Head At?’.

Launched in 2018 ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ aims to provide support, tools and techniques and advice to anyone in the workplace struggling with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.