Christmas is a time for giving. We’ve created a round-up of charities and initiatives across the Diocese that offer support during this festive season and beyond – from food banks to homeless shelters. Find out how you can donate to them or offer your time and if you know of any that we’ve missed, please let us know. Please share this page with anyone who may be alone at Christmas or could do with some support.
Bristol
The Marmalade Trust’s Christmas Cheer supports those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day and live in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset. Find out more on their website or Facebook page.
1625 Independent People works with young people aged 16 to 25 in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.They work to prevent youth homelessness, as through early intervention with young people, we can better work to end homelessness. Our Bristol Youth MAPS project successfully supports young people to remain at home, where it is safe to do so.
Caring in Bristol is a pop-up day centre based at the Trinity Centre for people experiencing homelessness and in precarious housing situations – for example, people having to sleep rough, people currently living in hostels and temporary accommodation.From Christmas Eve, through to December 30th they provide a warm and friendly environment, with breakfast, dinner, and resources including access to support and healthcare, a cinema, activities, and opportunities to socialise.
Foodcycle offers a free hot meal to anyone who needs it in Bristol
Wednesdays, 6.30pm at Wellspring Settlement, Barton Hil
Saturdays, 1pm at Wellspring Settlement, Barton Hil
Wiltshire
Company at Christmas offers Christmas meals and company in Corsham to anyone if you’d otherwise be on your own:
- If you’re a carer to your partner, your child or have a carer yourself.
- If you’re young.
- If you’re elderly.
- If your family situation is complicated.
Swindon
Swindon Food Collective offers a foodbank for those with a referral and they have donation drop-off points across Swindon.
Christmascare Swindon are accepting donations for the 23rd Dece as well as money. They provide a drop-in day centre for homeless and isolated people in the Swindon area over the Christmas period. They are open from Christmas Eve until Friday 29th December, 9:00am - 5:30pm. They offer a full English breakfast, a hot home-cooked lunch and an early evening snack. There are hot drinks, chats, companionship and festive cheer in between. They are hosting a donation day on Saturday 23rd December 10am-2pm (for short shelf-life food) at The Haven, Queen's Drive, Swindon (beside the ambulance station). Find them on Facebook here.
Christ Church Swindon will be hosting a Christmas Day lunch for anyone on their own at the Community Centre Christ Church again between 12noon-3.30pm. Can you volunteer to help? We need drivers to transport people to and from the event on Christmas day. If you can help with transport, or you know someone who would like to come on the day so they are not alone, please contact Chris Smith or Jenny Hatter on 01793 617237 or email at chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk or
ccoperations@christchurchswindon.co.uk
Food Cycle offers a free hot meal in Swindon for anyone who needs one on Thursdays at 6.30pm at Pinetrees Community Centre.
The Filling Station is a weekly initiative that has been running for many years to help the homeless people of Swindon. It’s a mobile kitchen that sets up in the loading bay Queens Street, (off Bridge Street), Swindon every Thursday from 7pm – 8:15pm. A team serves soup, hot and cold drinks, hotdogs, and a variety of cakes and biscuits, while building relationships and just talking to the people who come along. In addition to this, the team are able to hand out to each attendee a ‘care package’ which contains a variety of basic essentials ranging from toothbrushes to blankets, that help them get through the week. This service is supported by local homeless housing centres. If you would like to help with the Swindon Filling Station please contact them directly at: macpherson.angus@btopenworld.com
Foodbanks
The Trussell Trust support a network of food banks in the area. Find out how you can help or access their support here: