Christmas is a time for sharing special memories with the people we hold dearest. While many of us will be having laughs over roast turkey and a tipple of our choice, frontline workers across the country will be facing additional hardship to their already challenging role.
As the CEO of PTSD999, I experience the sacrifices frontline service workers make over Christmas. In this article, I’ll be providing my lived experiences and observations of the challenges faced by frontline workers during the festive period and how our charity provides valuable support.
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What are the challenges faced by frontline workers over the Christmas period?
While most people can slow down and have time off over Christmas, this isn’t the case for most frontline workers.
Instead, the festive season can amplify the emotional, physical, and mental pressures that are associated with the challenges faced by frontline workers during this time.
As a former soldier and police officer, I’ve experienced the challenges that Christmas can bring to frontline workers – which has been highlighted further since co-founding PTSD999.
Some of the most common challenges can include the following:
Increased emotional and workload pressure
Working over the Christmas period always brings extra pressure, with varying and often difficult shifts. Policing, for example, is unpredictable. Like any other day, a shift might pass without incident or become a full hands-on experience.
Officers face many challenges during this time. Being away from family and friends on the big day is especially hard, particularly for those with young children at home. There’s also a higher likelihood of attending domestic violence incidents, as tensions often rise in many households during the festive period. Making arrests at this time of year carries a heavy emotional impact on everyone involved, especially the families of those detained.
You also encounter those who are less fortunate such as rough sleepers or individuals seeking solitude. We always did our best to find them warmth and a hot meal where possible, often sharing a brew and something to eat with those who require support.
Unpredictable nature of the work
Christmas can unfortunately see the most unpredictable of scenarios happening – which sadly hits harder over the festive period.
Early in my career, while working a late response shift, we were called to a rail depot to reports of trespass by graffiti artists. When we arrived, it was obvious they had achieved their aim – the criminal damage was clear on the trains lined up in the sidings, ready to roll out on Boxing Day. Tragically, one of the individuals had gotten too close to the overhead cables and had been electrocuted.
Delivering that news to his family was incredibly difficult. He had left home without opening any of his Christmas gifts, and his family had no idea about his hobby. Not only would it ruin Christmas for his family, but it is also a painful reminder for the frontline workers involved with the incident.
Attempting to maintain a festive spirit
Working over Christmas is tough, both physically and mentally. That said, it’s important to try and maintain a festive spirit for everyone’s wellbeing.
In my own experience, the station would be decorated wherever possible, with a Christmas tree and cards from colleagues and external well-wishers. We’d all pitch in with tubs of chocolates and other festive treats around the office, and there was even a small tree in the custody suite behind the desk – just in case those being brought in weren’t exactly in festive spirits!
Personal safety and mental health risks
Frontline work can be a dangerous field, and sadly, this continues to be the case over the festive period.
Christmas is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and relax. But it’s important to remember that those on the frontline are still out there protecting and serving. They may wear a uniform that, especially when alcohol is involved, some people take offence to and act in a violent manner.
All frontline workers deserve the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of a Christmas shift uninjured – physically or verbally – and, hopefully, without having faced a traumatic incident during their duties.
Misconceptions about frontline worker holidays
One of the biggest misconceptions is that crime stops over Christmas and that everyone on duty is sitting in the station eating, drinking, and watching Die Hard.
In reality, crime often increases during the festive period for many reasons. Sadly, incidents of suicide and attempted suicide also rise, as Christmas can be a devastating and isolating time that intensifies existing mental-health struggles.
Visits to A&E with people injured through accidents or criminality have shown me that the emergency services never stop. They continue caring, responding, and supporting others in their moments of greatest need.
Extended time away from family and friends
Above all, this is arguably the biggest challenge over Christmas.
As a young soldier in the 80s, I spent several Christmases away on tours of duty - sometimes thousands of miles from home – with only a handful of mates around me. It wasn’t the Christmas it should have been, but there was comfort in spending it with people I trusted and respected. That feeling has stayed with me ever since.
This Christmas, I hold deep gratitude for everyone serving in our HM Forces, and for those across our emergency services and support roles. To all who are working during this period: thank you for your dedication and service.
Stay safe, and I wish you every happiness for 2026.
How PTSD999 can alleviate the challenges faced by frontline workers
PTSD999 is an independent charity made up of trustees, administrators, doctors, and counselling staff who have served in the Emergency Services and experienced PTSD first hand.
We understand what you’re going through. Regardless of your situation, we are available to provide help, advice, and confidential treatment by fellow frontline workers.
If you are affected by PTSD, please visit our website or contact us on either support@ptsd999.org.uk or 07957252955.
Watch our podcast episodes with Motorfinity to find out more about our story and how we can support you:
How Motorfinity acknowledges the challenges faced by frontline workers
At Motorfinity, we acknowledge the sacrifices our frontline workers make – not just over Christmas, but all year round. That’s why we reward our valued frontline workers with brand-new cars at discounted prices as our way of saying ‘thank you’.
Our car discounts are available for frontline workers across a number of public sectors, meaning that you may be able to purchase your dream car at a price you can afford.
Are you in the market for a new car? Find out if you’re eligible for our discounted cars.
Speak to a member of our team today
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