There are various options in Berlin for not spending Christmas Eve alone. (Symbolic image)
© dpa
Many people feel lonely, especially around the holidays. That is why Berlin offers various services that provide support or create opportunities to spend Christmas in company.
The Silbertelefon (Silver Telephone), for example, is a helpline that people who feel lonely or "just want to talk" can call. The holiday helpline run by the Berlin-based association Silbernetz (Silver Net) will be available from Christmas Eve onwards.
According to the association, people aged 60 and over can find a sympathetic ear here anonymously, confidentially and free of charge. The telephone line will be available around the clock from 8 am on Christmas Eve, 24 December, until 10 pm on New Year's Day on 0800 4 70 80 90. Fifteen permanent employees and around 65 volunteers are on hand to answer calls. Depending on the time of day, between two and twelve telephone operators are available. The organisers expect around a fifth more calls over the holiday season. Silbernetz is funded by the federal states of Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia as well as five Berlin job centres and supported by companies, foundations and donors.
There are also several local events in Berlin for those who wish to spend Christmas in company. For example, the Biesdorf district centre is hosting a celebration on 24 December with games, music, food and drink. Anyone who would like to attend should register in advance by telephone. Church events also invite people to celebrate together. The Waidmannslust parish in Reinickendorf is aimed at anyone ‘who doesn't want to spend Christmas Eve alone’ and offers a get-together with food, music and time for conversation. To help with planning, please register by telephone. A traditional Christmas dinner with potato salad and sausages will also be served at the community centre at the village church in Rudow. To ensure there are enough sausages, advance registration by telephone is also requested here.