Christmas is a time for friends, family and celebration. But among all the fun there are people who probably aren’t having such a great time.
This year we’ve made an effort to speak to some of those people who deserve more recognition during the festive season.
Hopefully this won’t put too much of a downer on things but instead highlight some of the stories that remind us what Christmas should be about – coming together and looking out for one another.
MoDThe Ministry of Defence provided us with some eye-openeing stories of what people who are serving abroad on Christmas Day are going through while we also spoke to some people much closer to home.
Often stuck in their homes, elderly people can easliy find themselves alone at this time of year, and some of their stories are truly heart-wrenching.
But it’s not just people who are forgotten. The number of abandoned and homeless animals tends to swell during the winter months and we visited Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home to remember the pets who lack a permanent home.
If you’re thinking of getting a puppy for Christmas, please watch this first.
Posted by UNILAD on Tuesday, 20 December 2016
Living in a UK town or city it’s impossible not to be aware of the issue of homelessness. Christmas is an especially tough time with plunging temperatures and happy revellers going all-out with the celebrations.
Homeless people are overlooked by society all year round but during the holidays it’s really brought into focus. But there are people out there doing their bit to try and make Christmas a little more bearable for those in need.
GettyWe spoke to the places giving out free Christmas dinners to hear the stories of some of the people who will be there this year, while one of our writers also explored what it is really like to be homeless at Christmas by spending a cold night on the streets himself.
Although Christmas is supposed to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ there’s no getting away from the fact that for some forgotten people it is anything but.
If the holidays are getting you down this year you don’t need to feel alone, The Samaritans are always free to talk whatever you’re going through, you can call them free any time, from any phone on 116 123.
