While some find the Advent season very exciting, for many loneliness becomes harder to bear. What can help? For example, the chat service provided by the humanitarian organization “Malteser” of the Order of Malta in Germany. “Simply good conversations, simple and free”: this is how Malteser advertises its chat network plaudernetz.malteser.de. The idea is to connect people who have time and wish to chat: “If you are looking for good conversations, you enjoy exchanging ideas, or simply want to chat, try it!”, the website reads. This service to combat loneliness has been available since summer 2025. It can be reached every day from 10am to 10pm, free of charge, at 0800 330 1111. Malteser points out that the chat is not a telephone number for emergencies or crisis situations. Callers are randomly connected with other people who also want to talk, and then engage in simple conversation. They are free to choose which topic to discuss. The website highlights that “our conversation partners are people like you, who have voluntarily registered because they love chatting and listening. Every conversation is a unique meeting, completely anonymous and free”. You just need to provide your name to introduce yourself; the chat is otherwise anonymous.