Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ Brits won’t be going home this Christmas due to fears of their family not accepting their sexuality
Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ Brits won’t be going home this Christmas due to fears of their family not accepting their sexuality
Tens of thousands of British LGBTQ+ people will be alone this Christmas unable to go home due to their family’s negative attitudes, a top helpline charity has warned.
After a year that’s left many crying-out to spend time with family, it’s about to get worse for thousands of people forced to spend the festive period alone according to London based helpline charity Switchboard.
Over the weekend many parts of the country were placed in the toughest Tier 4 category and the five day Christmas bubble was scrapped.
Now with just a one day ‘bubble’ in the UK for meeting with family and friends and nothing for tier 4 over the Christmas period many face the stark reality of being alone after it just got harder.
Research by Direct Line has shown that as a result of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, 38 per cent of 16-35-year olds, who identify as LGBTQ+, say they’re more nervous about going home this year than in previous ones.
Switchboard, a charity which operates a confidential helpline for LGBTQ+ communities across the UK, has this Christmas partnered with insurance company Direct Line, to ensure helplines stay open during their busiest time of the year.
With calls to Switchboard going up nearly 17 per cent YoY and up to 15 per cent MoM in December and costing on average £6 a call, the problem-solving insurer has pledged to fund the lines over the festive period to look after those in need of someone to talk to.
Switchboard Co-Chair Natasha Walker said: “Tens of thousands of people will be unable to go home this Christmas during the ‘bubble’ because of their sexuality. The pandemic has kept families apart for many months and at this time of year people are anxious to be home with their loved ones, but the added factor of negative attitudes will stop many from seeing them. It’s vital that our helplines stay open for those who need someone to talk to during the Christmas period and working with Direct Line has ensured we’re able to keep them open as call numbers rise”
With calls on the rise and LGBTQ+ people more likely to feel lonely and isolated due to their sexuality, the two brands partnered with renown LGBTQ+ artist, Pegasus, to create the Lonely Human, a physical manifestation of loneliness at Christmas, adorned with the switchboard phone number highlighted for those in need.
The roaming, 3D art installation was seen at multiple empty locations across London, the city in which people are most likely to identify as LGBTQ+1, to highlight the scale of loneliness over the holiday period.
Pegasus said of the Installation: “Loneliness has been a worry for everyone during the pandemic and helplines like switchboard make those in need feel like someone is there to listen. Visualising and understanding the problem of loneliness is hard. The Lonely Human was created to bring home the feeling that even in the country’s most populous city, it’s easy to feel alone.”
Direct Line has been empowering communities over the past year by supporting and sharing stories of those that make a difference to people’s lives; not just in lockdown but every day. While most of us are looking forward to Christmas, unfortunately many aren’t.
Simon Henrick, at Direct Line said: “2020 has been difficult enough as it is and has made many of us realise that, especially at this time of year, we shouldn’t take our time with family for granted. We’ve found throughout our campaign to solve everyday problems and champion heroes within our communities, that loneliness was a major point of worry for a lot of us. Unfortunately for some, December will make that worst. So many members of the LGBTQ+ community face a Christmas alone because family issues stand in the way. By keeping the phones open, at least they now have someone to talk to.”
The campaign to keep Switchboard’s phonelines open will run throughout December and aims to provide vital support to those who need it this Christmas. For more information please visit: https://switchboard.lgbt/
-ENDS -
For further information please contact [email protected]
Direct Line Social Handles
Twitter: @DirectLine
Switchboard Social Handles and helpline
Helpline number: 0300 330 0630
Twitter: @switchboardlgbt
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About Direct Line
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.
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Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
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