Beating loneliness, fighting cancer and rewilding plea

Help counter loneliness this winter

As we head further into the colder months and are layering up our winter woollies, I would like to share with readers the support that’s available through Royal Voluntary Service.

We’ve found through research that at this time of year, unfortunately, feelings of isolation and loneliness can increase, which can impact our health and wellbeing.

We want to be there for as many people as possible this winter, and so together with our friends at Yakult, we have created the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide. The guide is filled with essential information, practical tips, and advice to help people navigate the challenges of winter.

The guide also encourages us all to make sure we are socially connected and have support in place as we face the difficulties the season can bring.

The guide includes details on how readers can sign up for Royal Voluntary Service’s telephone support services, which match volunteers who are available for a friendly chat, with people across the country who are looking to make new connections, share a story or a joke, and ease feelings of loneliness and isolation.

It also shares information on accessing the charity’s Virtual Village Hall online community of events and activities.

The impact of social connection and having someone to turn to for support and conversation cannot be overstated, and we even found that 42 per cent of those who receive telephone support from our volunteers say they visit their GP less.

I’d like to encourage readers to download the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide and find out more, at www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/safe-warm-well. Physical copies of the guide can also be requested by calling 0800 731 9197, a small P&P charge will apply.

Wishing everyone season’s greetings and a Happy New Year.

Sam Ward OBE

Deputy chief executive

Royal Voluntary Service

Help stamp out bone cancer

I am writing to you on behalf of Friends of Bone Cancer Research Trust to ask for your help at any time, but especially as it is Christmas time!

We are a group of people throughout the UK who are raising funds independently for this wonderful charity. Thank you to everyone who has helped us over the year.

More postage stamps are used in December than any other time of the year. We are appealing for your support this Christmas by asking your readers to save their used, new and obsolete postage stamps from the UK and overseas, horizon labels and Royal Mail tracking labels, first day covers and collections etc.

Every stamp sent to us will help to fund life-saving research into primary bone cancer. Postage stamps are used less and less so if more people know about our requirements, we will hopefully still raise enough money to help find a cure for primary bone cancer.

We are in great need of postage stamps from anywhere outside mainland UK. We are also in need of currency from overseas and obsolete UK notes and coins. Why not get your school, church, business, social group or other community group involved?

This is an ongoing appeal so stamps can be sent at any time. We are desperate for overseas support so please ask all your friends and family around the world to support us as well.

Our Facebook group is Friends Of BCRT – Postage Stamps & More! Stamp appeal updates will be added often.

Primary bone cancer can occur at any age, but affects mostly children, teenagers, young adults and the elderly. Every 10 minutes somewhere in the world someone is diagnosed with primary bone cancer. Collecting used stamps is a simple way to make a huge difference.

Terri Bush

Friends Of BCRT – Postage Stamp Appeal & More

20 Bowers Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5PZ

Add voice to rewilding charter

As Sir David Attenborough put it: “We are dependent on the natural world for every breath of air we take and every mouthful of food we eat.” But nature is in trouble, with Scotland ranked as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries.

We are asking readers to sign the Rewilding Nation Charter – a call on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with a commitment to nature recovery across 30 per cent of its land and seas.

We can achieve this by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, while maintaining and benefitting productive farmland.

Rewilding offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, benefitting jobs, health, sustainable food, clean air and water, and thriving communities.

The charter has already been signed by thousands of people from all walks of life and many diverse organisations. On December 3, we will present our vision for a Rewilding Nation to the Scottish Government.

Please add your voice to the charter’s groundswell of hope at www.rewild.scot/charter

Steve Micklewright, chief executive, Trees for Life and Karen Blackport, chief executive, Bright Green Nature

Convenors of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance

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