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Volunteering with the children this Christmas

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Christmas is the season of giving - and what better way to give than by volunteering? Volunteering is a great way to give something back to the community, make friends and could prove to be a fun activity for the family.

We’ve put together a few ideas for volunteering your time this Christmas, and helping a charity together might just be your family's favourite memory this year.
 

  1. Wrap Christmas Presents with The Vineyard Church in The Maltings

https://www.thevineyardchurch.co.uk/whatson/

When: Saturday, 22 December 2018, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Where: The Maltings, St Albans, AL1 3HL

For over 20 years The Vineyard Church has set up shop in the Maltings Bandstand in St Albans and offered to wrap festive shoppers' gifts for free - as well as handing out hundreds of free Christmas chocolates! It's a great way to connect with the local community.

Whether you possess excellent wrapping skills, are keen to get into the festive spirit, or you're just happy to give chocolates away all day long, you are guaranteed to see some seasonal smiles appear.

Santa hats and Christmas jumpers are optional, but encouraged.

For more information and any questions, email Sarah: [email protected]
 

  1. Take the kids to visit The Abbeyfield Society residents

When: 1stDecember-31stDecember 2018

Where: See below

There are three locations to choose from:

  • Donaldson Lodge, 10a Manor Road, Potters Bar, EN6 1DG
  • Abbeyfield House, 2 Pound Avenue, Stevenage, SG1 3JA
  • Abbeyfield House, 1/3 The Drive, Radlett, WD7 7BZ

Abbeyfield is a national charity dedicated to the care and support of older people. Throughout the month of December, Abbeyfield invite volunteers to share time with the residents. To help make this Christmas the best Christmas ever, they are looking for a whole range of Santa’s little helpers to support the events. We know that volunteering has no age barrier and are looking for helpers of all ages to join in the festive fun.

There will be festive sing-a-longs, delicious home-cooked meals and best of all, great company. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many of the residents would otherwise have spent this time alone.

Roles may include:

  • Laughing, chatting and the odd ‘Ho,ho,ho!’ 
  • Bringing the X-factor to the carol sing along 
  • Being ready to lose at board games
  • Getting covered in glue and glitter during crafts
  • Serving mince pies and the odd glass of sherry!


This is an opportunity for you to share your time and support older people at this, what can be lonely, time of year. Contribute to the well being of others and know that you are making a real difference to the lives of older people. 

Register your interest here: https://www.abbeyfield.com/get-involved/volunteer/

  1. Help out The Mixed Group at the Christmas Day Lunch in Welwyn

Douglas Tilbe House Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4PH

The Mixed Group host a Christmas Day meal for the lonely and elderly every year.

Guests on Christmas Day are from the Welwyn Hatfield District and come from such towns and villages as Potters Bar, Welham Green, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn and Woolmer Green and beyond. They normally cater for around 120 guests each Christmas and these guests are nominated by individuals, churches, Social Services, Scheme Managers etc. Catering for so many guests can be hard work, but through the years The Mixed Group has received many offers of help from people willing to give their valuable time on Christmas Eve to prepare the hall, and of course to serve the guests on Christmas Day.

Volunteers transport the guests to and from the hall, and they also have a group of voluntary musicians providing entertainment.

If you would like to volunteer this year, contact [email protected]

http://www.themixedgroup.org.uk/about.html

  1. Give Santa your gifts for refugees at the St Albans Museum + Gallery with St Albans for Refugees

When: Saturday 15th December 2018, 10am - 4pm

Where: St Albans Museum + Gallery Market Place St Peter's Street St Albans AL3 5DJ

Father Christmas has got together with St Albans for Refugees (StAR) and will be visiting St Albans Museum + Gallery in the Market Place on 15 December 2018. All children can come and see him free of charge and have their photo taken and get a lollipop instead of a present. All he asks is that you help him to gather the presents he needs so that everyone gets a present on Christmas Day. Can you help him to find presents for refugees? They need socks, hats, scarves, gloves, sleeping bags, walking boots, tracksuit bottoms, jumpers and coats. All of these can be pre-loved but underwear must be new.

Father Christmas has said that he would love it if his helpers turned up dressed as elves. If you don't have a costume he would be happy if you would wear red or green so that he can recognise you!

Please note this is not a traditional grotto and Father Christmas will not be handing out presents but collecting donations instead. However, every child can have their photo taken and emailed to their parent or guardian immediately. They will also receive a lollipop and a letter from Father Christmas.

For more information, go to: http://stalbansforrefugees.org

  1. Can’t commit your time but would still like to do something to help?

Home-Start Hertfordshire is a local family charity that offers emotional and practical support to parents with at least one child under 12.  Teams of trained volunteers visit families in their own home, building trusted relationships and providing focused support that is tailored to the family's individual needs. All of their schemes have consistently proven to have a lasting, positive impact on the development of children and the health and welfare of families.

Donating online only takes a minute: https://www.goldengiving.com/secure/donation/home-start-hertfordshire

 


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