Church event helps combat loneliness at Christmas

BBC Danny O'hEarchai is a man with short grey hair. He is wearing a white shirt and smiling at the camera. A church hall is out-of-focus behind him.BBC
Danny O'hEarchai organised the drop-in at St Thomas' Church with support from local organisations

A church in Jersey has hosted an event to help people struggling with loneliness over the festive period.

It was the first time St Thomas' Church held the "Christmas & Company" drop-in, which gave people a place to go on Christmas Day.

The event was open to everyone and people were served food and drink while music played, before visitors watched the King's Speech together.

Organiser Danny O'hEarchai said the event aimed to provide comfort and fellowship to those who were struggling.

On a table are Christmas crackers, two santa hats, a box of shortbread and some reindeer antlers on a white and red tablecloth with stars on it. Around the table are plastic brown chairs.
People were served food and drink at the event before they watched the King's Speech

He said he had been on his own before at Christmas so he knew how hard it could be.

"It's just one day... but it really is tough," he said.

He said he wanted people to know the church was open to help people at any time.

Catholic Dean of Jersey Canon Dominic Golding, who supported the event, said: "When we live on our own, it can be easy to think we are totally isolated.

"It's very important to us in the Catholic community here in Jersey to maintain a sort of open door policy."

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