As Australians celebrate Christmas, charities across the country are stepping in to support those most at risk of loneliness and isolation during the holiday season.
Wesley Mission is opening the doors to its church and conference centre in the heart of Sydney's CBD, inviting one and all for Christmas lunch.
Reverend Stu Cameron, the organisation's CEO, says they're sparing no expense in delivering a hearty Christmas meal.
"We'll have around 300 people packing out for a slap-up Christmas lunch: ham, turkey, prawn, salads, all the trimmings," he told SBS News.
"That community of 300 people will be made up of people who own tech companies, people who are sleeping on the street.
"Some of our clients that we have the privilege of serving, all coming together around the table just to celebrate connection, celebrate the Christmas story, particularly for those who wouldn't otherwise have a place to go on Christmas Day or can't afford to put food on the table."
The event is free for those who don't have the financial means to buy a ticket. For those who are in a position to buy a ticket but can't make it, they might consider buying a ticket for someone else.
According to Chaplain Mark Coleman, the faith-based group takes the Christmas message to be one of bringing community together, and helping those who are doing it rough.
"One of the beautiful things about this space is it's a space where all people can gather. People who are experiencing that financial difficulty, but also people who want to just share that joy of celebrating Christmas, sharing the love of Jesus here in this space," he said.
Wesley Mission is hosting a free Christmas Day lunch to bring together people from all walks of life. Source: Supplied
In 2025, Wesley Mission helped 2,490 people across New South Wales who were experiencing or at risk of homeless, according to its annual report.
Offering a sense of community over Christmas
Civic Disability services is another charity group doing its part to support the community over the Christmas season.
The organisation, which supports people with disability, typically caters to more than 800 people around New South Wales, offering supported accommodation, employment opportunities and NDIS services, among other initiatives.
Its staff also work hard to make Christmas a special time of community for those living in Civic accommodation, CEO Annie Doyle told SBS News.
Katy Williams (left) and Annie Doyle recently took part in Civic Disability Services' Christmas lunch. Source: Supplied
"Christmas is quite challenging when you don't have family. And so a lot of what Civic does is around — we stand in, effectively, for those opportunities so that they feel like they are celebrating Christmas.
"It's not about the presents and the festivities itself, it's more about just sharing that time with other people, being special on the day."
In the lead-up to Christmas, support workers have helped clients decorate their homes and enjoy other festive activities like singing carols and creating Christmas cards.
On Christmas day, there'll be a special group Christmas lunch.
"What's most important is that we all sit down together and have a shared meal. We just love to have clients experience what it feels to be in a Christmas environment," operations manager Katy Williams said.
Loneliness can intensify over the holidays
Multiple surveys in recent years have suggested that loneliness and social isolation are growing issues in Australia.
Michelle Lim, an associate professor at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health and CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, said it can be difficult for charity services to address the severity of the loneliness crisis.
For those spending Christmas away from family, friends or community, it can be a particularly isolating time, she told SBS News.
"Australians who maybe have an existing health problem or disability or mobility issues might be particularly vulnerable during Christmas because as well, they might be seeing fewer people and there might be fewer services around," she said.
Lim was the research lead on the 2023 State of the Nation Report into social connection in Australia.
One in three Australians surveyed reported problematic levels of loneliness. One in six reported severe levels of loneliness.
According to Lim, feeling lonely is "highly stigmatised, even though it's highly prevalent".
For some Australians, the holidays are a reminder that connection can matter just as much as celebration.
"I really like providing for other people that are less fortunate than I am," one Wesley Mission volunteer told SBS News.
"I just really love helping out, especially with the atmosphere of everyone setting up the Christmas trees and all the decorations."
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