Together Co's Christmas appeal pays for 250 winter hampers and a lunch for 160

Together Co^2,3, the Brighton and Hove loneliness charity, is running a Christmas appeal called Pull Up a Chair, for people in the city who are lonely or isolated. It runs on JustGiving until 31 December.

Part of it pays for Christmas itself. Each year the charity’s volunteers pack and hand-deliver 250 personalised Winter Hampers, with winter essentials, festive treats and a personal message. The charity says that for many recipients it is the only gift or visit they get over the festive period. Donations also help pay for the Winter Warmer, a Christmas lunch with music and entertainment for 160 local people.

The money also pays for befriending through the year. The appeal suggests £10 for five hours of telephone befriending, £25 for a month of weekly visits from a befriender, £40 to train and support a new volunteer, £110 to set up a new friendship match and £225 for a social event for 30 people.

The appeal page tells the story of David, 55 (the charity has changed the names). He came to the charity with no family around him, and many of his friends had moved on. He was matched with Nicola, a volunteer, and they speak on the phone every two weeks. He calls befriending “a real lifeline”.

Together Co supported 3,006 people last year. If you would rather give time than money, its volunteer page lists befriending, social group and minibus helper roles, and no experience is needed.