A MENTAL health charity in Bournemouth is aiming to help improve the lives of people isolating over the Christmas break by offering counsellors to come to your homes.

RJVN8 Mental Health are working to support the lonely and isolated, especially the elderly and disadvantaged families, by sending out a counsellor trained in safeguarding to have a chat, a cup of tea and support individuals this festive period.

Co-Founder of the RJVN8 Mental Health charity Edward Bates said: “Our team of Santa´s helpers will be spreading Christmas spirit in our communities going out to local residents to have a chat and check in on them.

“We will be delivering some meals socially distanced strictly in line with Covid-19 regulations.

“We are working with Asda and United Taxis to deliver a few toys for children who may not receive them otherwise and make sure that families are coping during the festive period.”

The charity also have a helpline which will open for people to call post-Christmas in order to be signposted to the correct service or just to have a chat with someone else.

Following their success Clean Cut from Covid-19 charity haircut project earlier this year, RJVN8 Mental Health found that a lot of their clients had fears they would be left even more isolated than they have been during the festive months and into the new year.

Mr Bates added: “There is a social divide this Christmas with some families struggling on the breadline due to Covid-19 related redundancies and also families who may not be struggling financially but severely with their mental health and the isolation of the lockdown.

“We want to remind anyone that may be struggling over the Christmas period that our helplines are open to you 24/7 365 days a year on 02039504259.

“If you know someone that needs our support please call us.”