Today a report by the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission, co-chaired (following her murder) by Rachel Reeves, estimated that 9 million adults are lonely.

It’s a national crisis that has direct impacts not just on quality of life but also on mental and physical health. That’s why Reading’s Health and Wellbeing strategy has as one of it’s key priorities tackling loneliness and social isolation.

At Christmas loneliness can be particularly acute as people see images of the ‘perfect family’ and also may remember previous Christmases. On a very practical level the usual places where people might go to be with others might be closed – work, social clubs, even places of worship.

I know that many people in Reading, charities and the council want to help, and I hope we all make an effort to reach out to someone we think might be feeling lonely – and if you feel that way yourself reach out – you are not alone in feeling alone.

The council’s wellbeing team has also put together a listing of some of the things that are happening over Christmas and I’d encourage you to share it:

What’s on guide December 2017

When	Time	Where	What	Contact
Saturday 16th December	5:00pm	Reading Minster, St Mary’s Gate, RG1 2XH	Christmas by Candlelight	Tickets £5, under 16s go free Book online www.readingphoenixchoir.com or email info@readingphoenixchoir.com
Saturday 16th December	8:00pm	21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU	Belshazzar’s Feast Christmas themed show with folk, classical, jazz and humour	£17 0118 960 6060 http://www.readingarts.com
Saturday 16th December	7:30pm	Chiltern Edge School, Reades Lane, Sonning Common, RG4 9LN	Carols for choir and audience	£12 (under 21s £6) http://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/ Sue Craddock 07808 812841

Sunday 17^th December	2pm	Chiltern Edge School, Reades Lane, Sonning Common, RG4 9LN	Carols for choir and audience	£12 (under 21s £6) http://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/ Sue Craddock 07808 812841
Sunday 17^th December	6pm	Reading Girls School, Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PY	Carol Concert	Booking not required. No Children’s crèche available at this service
Sunday 17^th December	10:30am	We Will Rock Yule	Reading Irish Community Centre	Donation- free parking available
Sunday 17^th December	12:30pm-3:30pm	Southcote OAP lunch	Southcote Community Centre	£5-Tickets available at Southcote centre and Southcote churches
Monday 18th December	7:30pm	Caversham Court, Church Road	Christmas Carols	Booking not required. Hot chocolate and mince pies available to buy

Wednesday 20^th December	2:00pm	Whitley Wood Community Centre, Swallowfield Drive	Family Christmas event. Games for children, cake decorating, refreshments	Open to everyone
Thursday 21st December	9:30am-11am	Coffee Companions at Monty’s Sandwich Café, 41 Addington Road, RG1 5PZ	Treat yourself to a cuppa and meet others for a chat or just sit back and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.	No cost to join, just the cost of whatever is purchased
Thursday 21st December	1:00pm	Pakistani Community Centre, London Road, Reading, RG1 3PA	Christmas Lunch Open multicultural/multi-faith event, everyone welcome	Please book Dr. Ejaz Elahi 07958524746 0118 9269031 or pcc-admin@btconnect.com
Saturday 23^rd December	5pm	Reading Minster	Candlelight 3 Choirs Concert	Tickets on sale from Cards for Good Causes in the Minster, Monday to Saturday 10 am – 4 pm (until 18 December) or you can email occasions.singers@gmail.com.
Monday 25^th December	Please call for details	Salvation Army	Christmas Lunch	Call to book 0118 958 3019

Parkside Nursing Home, Parkside Road, RG30 2DP, are running activities open to all in December. For more details please contact Paul Vincent: 0118 952 8910

Useful Information: GP Surgeries and Pharmacies

Please remember that GP surgeries will be closed over the festive weekends and the bank holidays:

Saturday 23^rd December: CLOSED	Saturday 30^th December: CLOSED
Sunday 24^th December: CLOSED	Sunday 31^stDecember: CLOSED
Monday 25^th December: CLOSED	Monday 1^st January: CLOSED
Tuesday 26^th December: CLOSED

Oxford Road Pharmacy 0118 957 4999 – 270-274 Oxford Road, RG30 1AD

Open 12:00 – 18:00 25^th December and from 08:00am to 20:00 31^st December

Boots The Chemists 0118 958 7529 – The Oracle, RG1 2AH

Open 10:00 to 18:00 1^st January

Boots The Chemist 0118 957 1135 – 47-48 Board Street Mall, RG1 2AE

Open 11:00 to 17:00 1^st January

Most pharmacies offer a delivery service for regular customers who are unable to travel. For non-regular customers over the Christmas period we encourage people to call the pharmacy first to check the hours haven’t changed and that there is a pharmacist on duty.

Community Christmas have information on events and volunteering opportunities in Reading and around the country. http://communitychristmas.org.uk

Have yourself a MIND-ful little Christmas http://www.mind.org.uk

Amidst the fun, Christmas can be stressful with pressure to socialise; temptation to overindulge, extra financial costs, and often the difficulty of being parted from loved ones.

Take some time out with the charity MIND’s top tips for surviving the festive season.

Be honest with people-don’t be afraid to cancel plans if you’re not feeling up to it.

If you have a tendency to take on too much, Christmas can make this even worse. If it’s becoming too much stop and try to relax.

It’s a full moon on Christmas day and that won’t happen again for 19 years. Take some time to pause and enjoy it.

Try not to spend all your time inside eating and drinking! A brisk walk is a great way to spend time with loved ones or clear your head.

Don’t compare your Christmas with the perfect Christmases on TV. Remember that you will be measuring your experience against something that’s not real.

If you are worried about how you are feeling, talk to someone you trust or call the Samaritans 116 123 .

Remember your ear plugs if you’re in a busy house with family & friends- you don’t want to wake up every time one of them pops to the loo!

Take some time out after Christmas to do something you really want to do, and treat yourself, even if it’s just something small.