Christmas is the Season of love & understanding at The Hope Hub – Shakin’ Steven’s definitely got it right! It is always a team effort between staff, volunteers & THH supporters, creating a wonderful atmosphere; SUs also pitch-in. Everyone is very generous with donations of gifts, food and their time & goodwill; bringing it all together is a huge undertaking.
What typically happens?
- Autumn – THH receives generous donations & Winter Campaign launches. (See below )
- Stock Check & Deep Clean (kitchen & Store)
- November – Donations are sorted; stock rotated in the store, items stored for lean times & those suitable for Christmas hampers, gifts, prizes & Christmas meals are separated into labeled boxes in the office area. Vouchers are saved.
- December – Preparations are made for Christmas.
- Events – THH participates in Christmas local events. Also sometimes stores (Primark or Sainsburys) hold “gifting” opportunities, for people to donate food & clothing (warm items) whilst they shop.
- Decorations – Christmas decorations & tree are put up; SUs often help.
- Vouchers, Gifts & Hampers – These are wrapped, labeled and prepared. Sometimes local churches, companies & Besoms food bank donate hampers. Sometimes people donate lovely gifts.
- Christmas Accommodation Supplies – Items are identified, stored and bagged up, using food etc. from the store.
- THH Santa’s Grotto – The grotto is prepared in the area by the stationary cupboard; where SUs during celebration week can choose additional gifts & surprises such as warm clothes, flasks, toiletries & chocolate, including items for their families or children. Having the opportunity to choose items for themselves is a gift in itself.
- Christmas activities; quizzes, cooking, crafts & puzzles – These often form part of the Living Well activities in the crisis area.
- Outreach at St Martins Christmas coffee morning – Last session for all the regular volunteers, staff & attendees.
- Christmas Gifts & Christmas Hampers Delivery – They are delivered/handed over by THH frontline team to housed SUs who are still struggling.
Christmas Preparations 2024
- December Celebration week – Last full Week before Christmas (for 2024: Tues 17th – Fri 20th Dec)
- Christmas Buffet on Tuesday – for THH regulars and current SUs who are housed; activities, gifts, games, Christmas buffet.
- Christmas Dinner on Friday – for THH regulars and current SUs who are homeless; activities, gifts, games, grotto, Christmas dinner.
- Christmas Accommodation Allocation typically 23/24th Dec – for homeless SUs (rough sleepers or SUs with no recourse to public funds) are placed in hotels over the festive period, whilst THH is closed. (In 2018 THH pledged to provide safe accommodation and food to any rough sleeper who has been/is engaging with THH during the festive period.)
Christmas Dinner 2024
Santa’s Grotto 2024
How as a volunteer could you be asked to help? You could be asked to assist, join in with any of the above! Often additional volunteers are needed to support the welcome team for a session. Every year is slightly different, depending on donations, funding, local council programmes & local events. Please ask on arrival what needs doing that session. Don’t get overwhelmed, just come and have fun! Christmas jumpers and sparkles are welcomed; but not compulsory. If in doubt please ask.
What happened Christmas 2024/25? From Mags “Thank you everyone for your incredible support with our Winter Campaign🙏” ; read about Christmas 24/25 here.
“It was a real joy to witness through the week the behaviours and attitudes amongst SU’s and how they were with one another and that so many of them joined in with games and activities and stayed for quite some time.”
“The amazing meals, particularly the full Christmas Lunch today for everyone was enjoyed by all. What stars our brilliant volunteers are and Morya too giving of her time and donating festive food – thank you all SO very much.”
The Hope Hub Winter Campaign is a giving campaign to support those on the fringes of the community, Those who are homeless and vulnerable, during the winter months. Contributions make a significant impact by providing essential resources and support to those in need; such as:
- Provide a proper Christmas meal and a meaningful gift (such as a pair of shoes or a warm coat) to all those in need.
- Source essential food and toiletries for the homeless to cover the festive period, and provide a Greggs card for a hot drink when services are closed.
- Reconnect individuals with their families by covering public transport costs and providing a gift for their family gathering over Christmas.
- Sustain our Case Work services to continue offering crucial crisis support.
- Provide safe accommodation and food to rough sleepers or SUs with no recourse to public funds.
You can find out more or donate on the Just giving page: Winter Campaign 2024/5.
