With Christmas just one week away, Red Cross Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society are calling on the community to reach out to those who, for one reason or another, may be spending the day on their own.

Australian Red Cross Tasmanian acting director Mali Hawkins said loneliness tended to be more widespread than people thought. 

“We know loneliness doesn’t discriminate,” he said.

“It stealthily creeps into our lives, no matter our age, gender or ethnicity, and takes hold when tragedy happens, like losing a loved one, a divorce or losing your job.

“When there’s no one by your side, and you’re feeling deeply isolated, communities start to become less trusting, there’s more fear and places start to feel less safe.”

In Launceston, events including the annual Christmas lunch at Albert Hall continue to grow with 550 people expected to attend this year.

St Vincent de Paul Society is one of the organisers of the gathering, along with City Mission and the Salvation Army. State president Toni Muir said simple gestures always went further during this time of the year.

“Sometimes when we do call outs, we realise that we could be the only human contact some people have for one or two weeks,” she said.

“Tasmanians are very generous, as shown by the enormous number of people who already do reach out to others through putting gifts under the giving tree or supplying goods for the Christmas Community event.

“There is still a need for others to reach out, which I hope we get to see.”