People in Teesside urged not to spend Christmas and New Year alone
Charities say they're there to help and offer support
A charity in Teesside say their doors are open for people who are feeling isolated as the festive season approaches.
LilyAnne's Wellbeing in Hartlepool are urging those in the town to not face Christmas and New Year alone as they can sit, talk and listen without judgement.
Trevor Shewood, co-creator and counsellor, said: "During the colder months, people who face social isolation tend to isolate a bit more in the house on their own because it's too cold to come out, they sit in their houses freezing cold with just a blanket on. What we want to do is get people into our nice and warm space so they can social with people and get involved in some activities.
"It's amazing to see that spark in someone's eyes when they make that human connection with another person who's also experienced loneliness, so they value friendship and they value each other's company. They don't take that for granted and people who experience loneliness added with cold weather are more likely to experience more health conditions.
"Those who experience loneliness sometimes it's the route cause of suicide so just coming out of the house and being among other people who feel valued, they can listen to each other, do activities and support each other, makes a massive difference, especially at Christmas time when people are on their own.
"We've seen more demand within this location however Christmas is our busiest time of the year. We see lots of people who experience loneliness see other people and families getting together over Christmas, and that can trigger a lot of mental health in people and it can trigger thoughts of isolation and not wanting to be here.
"They dream of being able to go to the cinema and watch a Christmas movie with their friends or family, being able to have people with them on Christmas day, which they won't, and being able to be around people over the festive season, so people seeing each other, going shopping and things like that can trigger loneliness and isolation, so Christmas and the colder months is when it tends to hit the hardest."
Angela Arnold, co-creator and community hub manager, said: "It started because someone was sat at the cenotaph out in the cold with nowhere to go, their partner had passed away so they were alone. They'd come out once a week, do what they had to do and go home, and somebody recommended LilyAnne's to them and they're now in every day at the minute but this time last year, they would only come out once or twice during the week."
Don't spend Christmas alone
As the colder months set in and many families come together, LilyAnne’s works to support those who feel left out, alone or overwhelmed. The project began after a woman walked into LilyAnne’s on Christmas Eve feeling desperate, unaware that the café offered more than just coffee. Through a gentle conversation, the team discovered she was in crisis, supported her to access urgent medical care and helped her begin a journey of recovery. Today, she is part of the support group and now helps others facing similar struggles.
LilyAnne’s creates a warm, welcoming space where people can sit, talk and be heard without fear or judgement. Last year alone, around a thousand people came through the door because they needed someone to listen, not because they wanted a drink. The café environment feels safe and familiar, removing the intimidation that often comes with clinical services.
The team reaches more people by developing powerful initiatives, including a suicide prevention campaign across Hartlepool using QR-code prompts that connect people in distress directly to help. As winter begins and the festive season approaches, LilyAnne’s continues to bring people together, offering warmth, connection and life-changing support when it’s needed the most.