Christmas events across Spurgeons

This December events took place across Spurgeons, benefitting families facing difficult situations. 

HMP Winchester family days

Our work with prison families helps support partners and children who have a family member in prison. Our Christmas family days help spread some Christmas cheer and make the prison visits warm and welcoming for children.

At the request of the families Spurgeons held their family Christmas days a little earlier this year. Families last year reported that what they missed most about Christmas was the tradition of getting ready for the festive period. Having listened to the families' feedback these family visits were arranged for 30/11 & 1/12.

We arranged for some therapy donkeys to visit over the two sessions, and children enjoyed stroking, cuddling and taking the animals for a stroll around the visits hall.

Charlie and Pedro the donkeys visited the children
The children were able to take part in fun Christmas-themed arts and crafts
Santa came to visit!

This holiday season we were reminded that kindness and community spirit know no bounds. Spending the run up to Christmas together in the most unexpected place – a prison- was made special thanks to the generosity of many.

The prison's pallet recycling workshop spent time making Christmas decorations that families could decorate together and treasure.
The Winchester Diocese Mothers Union donated presents for all the children. Spurgeons volunteers dressed up as father Christmas and his elf to help bring a little Christmas joy and hand out the presents.
 
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to those both inside and outside the prison walls who contributed. These donations brought light and warmth into an environment that often feels cold and heavy.

Donations to Elmbridge 

A massive festive thank you from Elmbridge! 

This festive season we are grateful for the generosity of the organisations which have supported our Elmbridge community.

🎁 Truly Giving donated thoughtful gifts for the children
🍫 The Hill Group donated delicious chocolate treats
🎄 Smiles 2 Smiles donated some incredible Christmas hampers
✨ Stripe Stork for adding to all festivities
🎫 Xcel Leisure Centre supporting the tickets for holiday shows.

We're also delighted to share that families were given free pantomime tickets for a show at Riverhouse Barns Arts Centre, made possible by the dedication of the Arts and Development team at Elmbridge Borough Council

A special thanks to Leah Zakhs, Arts and Development Officer, for her role in organising this opportunity.

Hampers from Smiles 2 Smiles
Donations from the Hill Group

Christmas family events in Birmingham

The Spurgeons team in Birmingham have pulled out all the stops this year to make Christmas special for local families. Events have been taking place this week across four local sites, offering children the chance to have a photo with Santa and receive a present. Not only that, but families also dined with Santa, and were given food parcels and Aldi vouchers. Toys were given out to the children by cricketers visiting from Edgbaston. A very special thank you to our staff in Birmingham and all of the local business who donated to the events! 

The events were covered by ITV, Capital Radio and Free Radio, as well as Birmingham Live.

Staff with Santa
Our Birmingham staff dressed up ready to welcome the children
Staff with Christmas scene
Our staff pose in front of the Christmas scene where families can meet Santa

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