The Christmas Dinner provides care leavers in Cardiff with an opportunity to get together at Christmas, a time where the focus on family can leave many care leavers feeling isolated and alone.
The Christmas Dinner Project is overseen by the Gold From The Stone Foundation and was founded by Lemn Sissay OBE in 2013 with the intention that no care leaver would be left alone on Christmas Day. Dinners are organised by teams of volunteers who work together to provide a special and fun-filled day, along with a most scrumptious dinner on Christmas Day for young care leavers, aged between 18 and 25. As well as a Christmas dinner, guests are gifted presents and treats along the way.
Waitrose Pontprennau and its Partners locally are giving to the Cardiff Christmas Dinner, gifting bags of food (and some nice Christmassy treats) for young people to collect when they attend the Christmas dinner. Waitrose’s contribution to the Christmas Dinner Project is part of the John Lewis Partnership’s long-term campaign to build happier futures for children and young people from care.
The Christmas Dinner Project can only be made possible by the kindness and generosity of local volunteers, who organise and run the Christmas dinner themselves. I encourage any constituents who would like to volunteer their time or get involved in the Cardiff Christmas dinner to find out more by contacting thecardiffchristmasdinner@gmail.com
Jo Stevens MP said:
“It is heartwarming, but not surprising, to see the kindness of our community, working together to give our care leavers a special Christmas Day. No young person should have to spend Christmas Day alone. I would like to thank all of my constituents who are volunteering their time and their Christmas Day to help others. A huge thanks also to Gold From the Stone Foundation and Partners at Waitrose for supporting their efforts.”
Lindsey Crompton, Social Impact Lead at the John Lewis Partnership said:
“The Gold from the Stone Foundation and the Christmas Dinner Project volunteers do amazing work to bring joy and community to young people who’ve been in care at Christmas. We’re so pleased that Waitrose can help with food and treats to see care leavers through from Christmas into the New Year. We’re proud to play a small part in this brilliant initiative to give a merry Christmas to care leavers across the country.”
Lemn Sissay OBE said:
“The Christmas Dinner in Cardiff is community at its best, giving care leavers hope on Christmas Day. The team have met throughout winter to pool their skills and make this happen. John Lewis and Waitrose have joined all the dinners across the country. Your constituents are incredible. I mean it. They have made magic happen. Merry Christmas and thanks.”