Sor not Telefono Amico Italia volunteers have been running for 10 years now they keep theirs active listening service during the holidays, throughout Christmas and Boxing Day night. «In these moments most people celebrate together with friends and family, but those who are alone feel even more alone», explains Monica Petra, president of Telefono Amico Italia and a volunteer for the association for 30 years.
10 years of Telefono Amico, this year too expect calls from those who are alone at Christmas
The Christmas listening marathon turns 10 this year, and continues to record a increase in requests for help. In 2022, over 720 people contacted Telefono Amico Italia volunteers, an increase of 13% compared to 2021. The increase compared to previous years is even more important. Requests for help in 2022 increased by 42% compared to 2020 and even doubled compared to 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
The association telephones will be active continuously from 10am on December 24th to midnight on December 26th and this year too the volunteers are ready to dedicate these special days to listening to people in difficulty. You can call the single national number (02 2327 2327), write to the WhatsApp Amico chat (324 011 7252) or to Mail@mica (email service accessible by filling out an anonymous form on the site www.telefonoamico.it).
Who are the volunteers and what do they do
The volunteers they respond to requests for help without judgment. «We simply welcome what is shared with us», continues Petra. «It’s what, perhaps, we should all do every day. Taking time to understand ourselves and what is happening around us, without necessarily looking for a side to take sides on or an opinion to give.”
«I remember the call from a lady who arrived at Christmas, a few minutes after midnight», says Gabriella, a volunteer for Telefono Amico Italia. «When I answered she said “ah… but then it’s true that you also answer at night! Well, now I’m calm and I can go to sleep peacefully. I know that if I need it tonight, I will find someone.”
Fabio, who will participate in his third Christmas marathon this year, instead he remembers the phone call from «an elderly lady, alone and in tears. He tells me that the radio is his only company. I ask her what music she likes, I tell her that I love music too, I ask her if she wants us to sing together. In the end, we sing for 10 minutes, she doesn’t cry anymore, she smiles and thanks me. When I hang up I cry.”
Who calls during the holidays
During the 2022 holidays, more than 720 people contacted the volunteer organization. They were the ones who called slightly predominantly men (51%) and people aged between 56 and 65 years (27.5%) and between 46 and 55 years (24%). The prevailing problems of those who called were: loneliness and need for company (25%), followed by difficulties in family relationships (11%). However, those who used the chat were predominantly women (58%), between 36 and 45 years old (27%), 26 and 35 and 19 and 25 years old (both 23%). In this case the most frequent problems reported were loneliness and need for company (23%), psychological distress (16%) and existential difficulties (14%).
How to become a Telefono Amico volunteer
Telefono Amico Italia is always looking for new volunteers to help manage the numerous requests for helpwhich have never stopped growing since the beginning of the pandemic.
Today, listening is guaranteed by almost 600 volunteers, distributed in 20 local centers throughout the peninsula, which allow us to be present, for those in need, 365 days a year, from 10am to midnight.
Anyone interested in joining the team of Telefono Amico Italia can write to [email protected]. He will be directed to the nearest local center where he will be able to carry out a practical-theoretical course lasting approximately 6 months, at the end of which he will be able to begin the listening activity.
Anyone who wants to give a little help right away this Christmas can go to the Telefono Amico Italia website and donate a small sum to support volunteers.
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