Record surge in carers seeking help at Christmas

The revelation comes as Marie Curie – the UK’s leading end of life charity – releases new data highlighting a surge in demand for its free Support Line, which is available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.

Marie Curie says that the need for its Support Line, which marks its 10 year anniversary this year and is 100% funded by public donations, is greater than ever. It reported an 86% rise in enquiries on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2024 compared to 2023 – the busiest year since the service began in 2015.

Over the last year, the charity directly supported over 21,000 enquiries through the Support Line – or 60 every single day.

A new poll commissioned by the end of life charity suggests the trend will continue, with one in five people actively seeking out support this Christmas (22%), yet over a quarter (27%) saying that when they feel like they need help, they have nowhere to turn.

The poll found that nearly half of those who have lost a loved one (45%) admit to feeling alone at some point during Christmas, even when with friends and family. More than one in three people (37%) typically dread Christmas due to the connotations of the time of year with loved ones who have died. Two five (39%) also say Christmas intensifies their feelings of grief or sadness.

Meanwhile, 47% who have experienced a loved one go through a terminal illness agreed that the feelings of anxiety and sadness became more intense at Christmas time.

This corresponds with Marie Curie’s data showing that emotional support, and bereavement in particular, was the single biggest topic on Christmas Day and Boxing Day last year. 

The charity is urging people to get in touch, as the need for the Support Line is clear. Three in 10 (27%) of those surveyed admitted to keeping their emotions to themselves at times rather than seeking support from a loved one. The reasons for this spanned from not wanting to bring them down at Christmas time (26%) to considering themselves a burden (18%), simply not feeling comfortable enough to do so (16%) or not thinking anyone would understand (16%).

A worrying 18% of people experiencing sadness at Christmas admitted to withdrawing or isolating themselves, while only 9% would use a helpline. One in five (21%) do not talk to anyone about their feelings.

Angharad Burden, Marie Curie Support Line and Peer Support Service Manager, said: “The huge value of human connection can’t be underestimated, and Christmas is a time when complex emotions can come to the fore and may feel overwhelming. When grieving, the season’s jollity and meet ups often only serve to make the absence of a particular person more apparent, while those caring for a loved one may find they feel extra strain with the expectations of the season. Many carers, families and friends need help to get them through the season, but don’t know where to access that support.

“In the last 10 years, the Marie Curie Support Line has been vital for many. So we’re urging anyone who feels alone, or that they have nowhere to turn, to contact us – especially if they’re finding the festive season particularly tough. People can pick up the phone, reach out on social media or simply spend some time reading through the many resources on the Marie Curie website. If you’re struggling, we’re here for you.”

The Marie Curie Support Line, which is accessible in 200 languages, stands out as a powerful example of where technology cannot replace empathy. Every conversation is handled by a trained professional, offering the human connection that people most need when facing loss, fear or uncertainty, especially at Christmas.

Support Line Officers receive expert training that covers topics including advanced care planning, self-care, safeguarding, finances, funeral poverty and bereavement.

Across the last year, Marie Curie supported:

• 21,655 enquiries via the Support Line (inc. phone and other channels e.g. social media)

• 1.56 million users who accessed its online information & support materials

Marie Curie helps people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer.

It is urging the public to donate to its Christmas Appeal, which is live now. The Support Line is 100% funded by donations, and the charity is dependent on them to ensure that its Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert end of life care and support, whatever the illness, wherever they are.

Anke Timmermann used Marie Curie’s Support Line and online resources when her dad Manfred was dying and later received bereavement support from the charity. She is now an Online Community Volunteer for the Support Line. 

“I am so incredibly grateful for all support I have received from Marie Curie. The fact that the Support Line was there for me when I needed someone to talk to, and is still there if I have a really bad day, is absolutely brilliant.

“The bereavement support I received came at a particularly crucial time for me as I was falling hard into my grief. It was like a hand gently unfolding and catching me as I was stumbling into something I hadn’t experienced in that way before. It was nice to know there was an hour a week set aside to just stop and think and have someone to listen to me. I really liked the fact that I could schedule that with a Support Line Officer. It of course didn’t mean I parked my grief during the rest of the week, but I felt such comfort in knowing there would never be a stretch of time when I wouldn’t revisit how I was feeling.

“Marie Curie has been a guiding hand through a very difficult period in my life, and I try to do anything I can to give back in some way – no matter how small. Simply fundraising by hosting a Facebook event or an event at work, or just dropping some change into a collection bucket – it’s relatively easy to do, and it’s the season of giving after all.”

Marie Curie’s free Support Line is open 7 days a week and throughout the festive season, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. To contact them, call for free on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk. 

To support Marie Curie’s Christmas Appeal, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/christmas