For Harry, Christmas magnified feelings of isolation. How could he escape the annual rollercoaster of anxiety and sadness?

‘Harry found himself in a familiar situation each year – isolated, yet feeling it was too late to make Christmas a different experience.’ Photograph: Nico De Pasquale Photography/Getty Images

Harry* dreaded the weeks leading up to Christmas. He felt overwhelmed by the cacophony of carols, decorations and well-wishes from strangers. But moreover, he anxiously awaited the inevitable question: what are your plans for Christmas?

Amid a loneliness epidemic, it’s no surprise Christmas is a challenging time for many. The heavy focus on family events and relationships can compound feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for people experiencing complex family dynamics or estrangement, bereavement, “empty-nesting” or separation and divorce.