Patient Newsletter for December 2023
Money worries at Christmas
You can’t switch the television on or look at Facebook without being bombarded with Christmas adverts right now.
“Spend, spend, spend! Have the perfect Christmas! Give your children the best Christmas Day!”
With a cost of living crisis, many of us are just looking to get through it hitting our pockets hard in the New Year.If you are worried about overspending this year or if money worries are already taking over your Christmas, there are services that can help. Take a look at Joy, a directory of local services who are providing practical help right now to families in Strood.
Combatting loneliness at Christmas
For some people, Christmas can be a time of loneliness and isolation especially when everyone seems to be out and about, celebrating with family and friends. Social media also leads to a time of heightened expectations for social interaction and happiness, which can make feelings of loneliness even more intense. For anyone struggling, know that you’re not alone.
Medway Council has a useful online loneliness and isolation hub which has some great advice and links to organisations that are here to support you this season. One recommendation we hear time and time again from patients who are on their own or who have a bit of spare time at this time of year is volunteering. “Good for soul” as one of them put it to us the other day. Check out Medway Voluntary Action about volunteering opportunities to make a difference and meet new people locally.
Quick links to more local support
