Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many people, particularly for those who are on their own. While it is often portrayed as a season of joy and connection, it can also heighten feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anxiety. Creating spaces where people feel welcomed, valued, and included is therefore vital not just at Christmas, but for our collective mental health and wellbeing.
This year, I was asked if I could help by taking on the cooking for a local Christmas Day event. Each year, our community organises a free Christmas lunch for people who live alone. It is open to everyone and designed to offer more than just a meal it provides companionship, warmth, and a sense of belonging. When the volunteers who had previously led the cooking moved on, I had no hesitation in stepping forward.
The event took place in a small local hall, a cosy and welcoming setting, albeit with a very limited kitchen. Good planning and preparation were essential. With the menu agreed and shopping lists prepared, a group of dedicated volunteers generously gave their time to source everything we needed, demonstrating the power of teamwork and shared purpose.
With around 30 guests expected, preparations began on Christmas Eve. Vegetables were prepared in advance - Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, red cabbage - and the all-important roast potatoes. Working methodically through a detailed plan, I found the process surprisingly calming. Cooking can be grounding; it encourages focus, routine, and a sense of achievement, all of which can support positive mental wellbeing.
Many people feel pressure and stress around Christmas meals, but this experience felt different. Of course, there were the familiar concerns would the turkey be cooked perfectly, would the potatoes be just right but these worries were outweighed by the knowledge that this meal mattered. Without it, many of our guests might have spent the day alone, with little to mark it as special.
Christmas morning began early, with the turkeys going into the oven at 7:30am at home, where I felt more confident in the equipment. Meanwhile, the team gathered at the hall to bring everything together. Lentil soup simmered, vegetables were prepared for reheating, and the gravy was underway. There was a calm sense of purpose and shared responsibility that set a positive tone for the day.
As the morning passed quickly, our guests began to arrive. The atmosphere changed immediately conversation flowed, smiles appeared, and the hall filled with warmth. What stood out most was not just the enjoyment of a hearty Christmas meal, but the visible lift in mood that came from simple human connection. Sharing food, conversation, and laughter can be a powerful antidote to loneliness and can significantly support mental wellbeing.
Having spent many years as a professional chef, including cooking Christmas Day services at The Savoy in London for hundreds of guests, this experience was profoundly different. There was no pressure, no hierarchy only gratitude, kindness, and a collective sense that everyone present was contributing to something meaningful. The appreciation shown by our guests reminded me that small acts of care can have a lasting impact on mental health.
Being part of this day was an absolute privilege. It reinforced how important community initiatives like this are, especially during times of the year when people may feel most vulnerable. I will gladly volunteer again, knowing that sometimes the most powerful way to support wellbeing is simply by showing up, sharing a meal, and reminding people that they are not alone.
