Christmas Day Lunch for the Community

A special Christmas day lunch for the elderly, lonely and vulnerable in the community – often with nowhere else to go. This is an event run in collaboration with the volunteers of St Andrew’s & St Mark’s – our own parish.

Staff, pupils and parents came into school on Christmas Eve to prepare food, to set up and decorate the hall, to decorate Christmas trees, and make table decorations.

On Christmas Day more people joined to help meet and greet our special guests, and to serve. The day included tea, 3 course lunch, wine, piano playing, visit from the local church choir and the mayor, the Queen’s speech streamed live, giving of gifts, carol singing, and a goodie bag of minced pies and treats to take home.

Guests were transported to and from.

A very community affair with donations of mince pies from local market stalls, meat from butchers, all other food from Chartwells – our school caterer. 

Aims

To provide friendship and love and a sense of community spirit at Christmas time to those most in need in the local area.

Background

An old girl of the School, approached SHS to see if they could use a venue for a fee.

Alumni and outreach staff at the school identified an opportunity for much greater collaborative involvement, for the School and the wider community.

Resources

Dining Hall, minibuses, volunteers, donations, caterers.

DEC 24 - 10 people, 3 hours. Dec 25 - 20 people 6 hours, 10 hours advance coordination

Some food & decoration costs (any shortfall from donations).

Impact

Hugely enjoyed, tremendous gratitude, enormous goodwill. Wonderfully enriching for all.

Pupil Involvement

12 pupils, plus 36 staff & parents.

How old are the pupils? 10-16. Mixed gender.

Frequency

This event is annual and ongoing.