North London patient shares her story to help others facing loneliness in hospital this winter

For 25 years, Bhavisha kept her experience of living with ulcerative colitis a secret. Diagnosed at just 13, she faced repeated hospital stays, painful symptoms and the stigma of a condition few around her understood.

Bhavisha said: ​“In my culture, no one spoke about toilet issues. It was taboo, something shameful. I couldn’t even tell my closest friends. For years, it was my ​‘dirty little secret’.”

That changed when Bhavisha was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital following major abdominal surgery. During a five-week stay, she found comfort and connection through the Royal Free Charity, whose volunteers, therapists and support groups bring support to patients across the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust’s hospitals.

She said: ​“One day a massage therapist from the charity came to my bedside and offered to massage my swollen legs. It was bliss. Later I joined the charity’s IBD support group. Sitting in a room full of people who understood was life changing. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone.”

Now, Bhavisha has gone from patient to leader – running the same support group that once helped her.

This winter, she’s lending her voice to the Royal Free Charity’s fundraising appeal, calling on the local community to help fund volunteers, massage therapists and patient support groups that ease loneliness and promote faster recovery for patients spending long days in hospital.

She explained: ​“Being in hospital can be lonely, but during the festive season, it’s even harder.

Research shows that more than 60% of older adults admitted to hospital are lonely which can slow recovery*. The Royal Free Charity’s services help patients feel calmer, more connected and better able to heal.

Sinead Hanton, intensive care unit matron at RFH, spoke about the clinical benefits of RFC services to ease patient loneliness. 

She said: ​“Patients can sometimes feel isolated and disconnected from the outside world. That sense of loneliness can have an impact on their recovery.

“When patients feel calmer and more grounded, they’re often more engaged in their recovery. The charity really does make a meaningful difference, for patients and for the staff caring for them.”

The charity is asking for help to bolster the support it gives to the 2 million patients and 12,000 members of staff across the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Donations to the Royal Free Charity’s winter appeal will help fund its services that bring comfort and connection across north London. 

The appeal features a model to protect patient anonymity.

*Brombo G, Guindani P, Pedrini D, et al. (2025). Prevalence and clinical significance of loneliness in older patients admitted to acute hospital wards. J Nutr Health Aging.