Loneliness charity triples winter hamper deliveries

Volunteer Clare Cole (left) and Together Co deputy chief executive Emily Daniel, who said the charity was seeing increasing demand for its services

Demand for a loneliness charity's winter hamper service has more than tripled since last year, according to its deputy chief executive.

Together Co is delivering 250 hampers across Brighton & Hove this year to people facing isolation and loneliness.

Last year, the charity gave out 77 hampers across the city but the charity said it was increasing the number of deliveries.

Emily Daniel, its deputy chief executive, said: "We know rates of loneliness are increasing in the city, and we're seeing increasing demands for our services."

The hampers contain products such as socks, perfumes, hand creams, food and other Christmas gifts.

Ms Daniel said: "We've got an incredible 45 volunteers helping to pack, and more delivering them and chatting to people."

The hampers contain products such as food, socks, perfumes and hand creams

Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Amanda Grimshaw urged people to check on their elderly neighbours.

She said: "Please go and see if they've got someone to talk to, see if you have a neighbour up the road who hasn't got a Christmas dinner.

"Communities in the olden times, everyone looked out for everyone. Families all lived together, that's not really how society really works anymore.

"Loneliness is a hidden issue that we need to tackle."

Clare Cole, one of the volunteers, said they had created a "production line" to make the 250 hampers.

"We've tried to tailor it for individuals, so hopefully it's a lovely package that feels personalised and puts a smile on someone's face," she said.

The hampers are being funded by companies based around Brighton & Hove.