The good.film Goodies - December Edition
At any given time, one in four Aussies are experiencing loneliness… and during the holiday season, this number increases to one in three. Yes, one in three! That’s something good.film wants to help change this Christmas season.
good.film
2 years ago
Share
"It comes but once a year"... but Christmas isn't always the joyous time of togetherness that the department store ads would have us believe.
At any given time, one in four Aussies are experiencing loneliness… and during the holiday season, this number increases to one in three. Yes, one in three! The increase is because loneliness can intensify during times when society expects us to be with others: like Christmas. While experiencing loneliness is part of the human experience, severe or extreme loneliness can lead to devastating physical and mental health outcomes. But loneliness - kinda ironically - doesn’t seem to get much attention.
That’s something good.film wants to help change this Christmas season. And it’s why we’ve created #NoSilentNight: a nation-wide campaign bringing together advocacy experts, film-makers and thought-leaders to support those braving Christmas alone this year.
Scientific chair of Ending Loneliness Together, Dr Michelle Lim, relates that “Loneliness is far more common than people think. In fact, to feel lonely is to be human.” But that doesn’t make it any less painful. Through initiatives like the ones below, #NoSilentNight aims to normalise feelings of loneliness… and in doing so, reduce the shame experienced by those spending Christmas alone this year.
Our goal? To amplify the public conversation about loneliness, raising both funds and awareness, to ensure that people feeling lonely this year know that they are not alone. Because no one should have to face a silent night at Christmas.
Know someone who might be ridin’ solo this Christmas season? Share the activities below with a friend or loved one! Join the Christmas campaign against loneliness at good.film/campaigns/silent-night
The Togetherness Fund
The first cab off the #NoSilentNight rank: our fundraiser. We’ve partnered with three of Australia’s leading charities - Mission Australia, Feros Care, and Ending Loneliness Together - to combat the chronic loneliness that stems from issues such as homelessness. We call it The Togetherness Fund.
We’re directing 100% of all donations received to these top loneliness charities - meaning every cent raised by #NoSilentNight will advance research and support services to address severe loneliness and social isolation. You can donate to The Togetherness Fund once or on an ongoing basis.
But here at good.film we wanted to do our part, too: so we’ve organised three different initiatives designed to help you - or someone you care about - address feelings of loneliness this holiday season. From trying a new activity to some supportive words of advice, or just a good old movie marathon, we’ve got something for everyone’s Christmas stocking…
The Chrissy Binge Along
Ah, the age-old debate: is Die Hard really a Christmas movie?! We’re still not sure, but we are sure that our list of so-bad-they’re-good Christmas movies are as satisfyingly cosy as a bunch of chestnuts roasting on an open fire. From Elf to The Grinch, Love Actually to Let it Snow, we’ve got all the yuletide bases covered on the movie front!
When does a list become a Binge Along? When you know that others who might be on their own are watching the same movies too! This Christmas we’re aiming to create a virtual Binge Along (aka movie marathon), to bring people together with a shared movie-watching experience happening in lounge rooms all over Australia.
So if you’re Home Alone this year, you’re in good company. Fire up the popcorn, switch on the TV, and dive in with us as we binge these classic guilty pleasures that’ll deck your halls with enough laughs (and groans!) to last until New Year’s. Hit the link to stay in the loop!
Join the Chrissy Binge Along - or share the nostalgic vibes - at good.film/lists/the-chrissy-binge-along
Feelin’ kinda… Lonely
Are you feeling... kinda lonely? Or is there someone you care about who might be?
We’re delving deeper into what loneliness is and why we experience it in a four-part series. Guided by experts including Dr Michelle Lim from Ending Loneliness Together and Jo Winwood from Feros Care, you'll learn about the different types of loneliness, tips on ways to overcome loneliness if you’re feeling it yourself, and discover how to help those you think might be at-risk this holiday season.
And because we think movies and series are an amazing tool to understand complex ideas (hey, we’re biased!), we’ve included a special breakdown of our top five must-see films exploring loneliness - you can check it out here.
These weekly explainers make for a thoughtful read to share with friends, family, or anyone who may be feelin’ kinda lonely. So join our #NoSilentNight mailing list if you haven’t already - we’ll be in touch when our next loneliness articles go live!
Check out the four-part series explaining seasonal loneliness, and what you can do about it: good.film/campaigns/feelin-kinda-lonely
Santa’s Little Finder
All dressed up with nowhere to go this Christmas? Or maybe you’re away from home, without your usual safety net of friends and family? You’re not alone. There’s a heap of Aussies in the same boat paddling solo this Christmas - so we’ve tallied up a stack of fun Chrissy events to rival Santa’s master list!
Come one, come all: it’s the activity finder for anyone doing Christmas sans company, for any reason. Gingerbread comps? You got it. How about some theatre or comedy? They’re on the list! And if you’re sporty and solo this year, why not try some bridge climbing, kayaking, or water rugby on for size?
Featuring a sleigh-full of other community events all around Australia like Christmas lunches, markets and workshops - many of which are free - Santa’s Little Finder could be the answer for you or a loved one to fill a Christmas Day that might otherwise feel a little empty this year. So don’t settle for peeling prawns on your lonesome: find something great to do with Santa’s Little Finder!
Explore Santa’s Little Finder now at good.film/campaigns/santas-little-finder
You’re receiving this as an early adopter at good.film (look at you go). We’d love you to forward this email to a fellow movie-lover to help grow our community! Let them know they can match movies and streaming series to causes they care about… create & share watchlists to keep the conversation going... and inspire others to donate via the good.film platform to support the causes that matter. Thanks!
