Letters of hope at Christmas time: Together against loneliness!

Letters of hope at Christmas time: Together against loneliness!

In the shadow of the upcoming winter and Christmas season, the “Letters of Hope” campaign calls on people to counter the feeling of loneliness with small but effective gestures. This initiative is particularly aimed at older people who often live alone in their apartments or in retirement homes. Diana Gütter from the Hildburghäuser Tafel encourages the population to take part in this moving campaign. In collaboration with the Hildburghausen/Eisfeld district deaconry office and the district senior citizens' office, the board has launched a call to write and send letters with warm lines, wishes, poems or pictures. Any letter is welcome, regardless of the season, and it is highly desired that citizens get involved in this important social issue. Letters can be addressed to the district deaconry office in Hildburghausen/Eisfeld, Obere Marktstraße 44, Hildburghausen. This is reported by iNews Thuringia.

The idea behind the letters of hope is not new, but is based on successful initiatives for lonely people in other regions. For example, the Jakobi-Stift nursing home in Rostock received letters from committed people in the area at Christmas. Residents who had no relatives visiting were overwhelmed by the warm gesture. Tears of joy flowed when the letters were opened, which vividly shows how important such actions are for the well-being of those affected. Facility manager Sebastian von Weiss emphasized the importance of the loving words, which create a feeling of warmth and connection not only on the holidays but far beyond. This information comes from the Gifts of Hope.

Loneliness – A widespread problem

Loneliness doesn't just affect older people. According to various studies, around 10% of the German population feels generally lonely, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness often describes a painful condition that is experienced by those affected as extremely negative. Important factors for loneliness can include age, lack of contact with relatives and even social isolation. Research distinguishes between emotional, social and collective loneliness, and shows that loneliness can pose significant health risks, from depression to cardiovascular disease. Awareness of this social problem is growing and measures to combat loneliness are becoming increasingly urgent. Further information can be found in Wikipedia.

Especially in the cold season, when the darkness and cold often lead to a feeling of isolation, it is important to create a ray of hope together. Everyone can help make even lonely hearts feel a little warmer. Take the opportunity to write that one letter that might brighten someone's day. Give hope and show heart during a time that is very challenging for some people.