Many of us are looking forward to Christmas, a time to share with family and friends. Spare a thought for care leavers - young people who have just left the local authority care system, many of whom would be spending Christmas on their own.
Last year we supported The Canterbury Christmas Dinner, an initiative that, with help from the community, provides a superb Christmas dinner for these youngsters to show them that someone cares. This year we will be doing the same.
The team behind the event have been busy getting support in place and preparing for the event, including organising the gifts that each care leaver receives.
Right now they are looking for a chef, so if you can help please contact them direct. They also want to invite young care leavers as guests - again please contact them directly for details (contact details below).
Here's a film they made last year that gives a flavour of the event: The Canterbury Christmas Dinner
The team is also busy creating stockings for each guest - this includes gifts based on the likes and hobbies etc of guests.
There are plenty of ways that you can help or be involved. They have a gift list at John Lewis where people can buy a gift for a young person. Click here for details of that. The gift list number is 753405 and you don’t need a password.
If you've bought gifts yourself, you can drop them off to the Innovation Centre on Kent University Campus, clearly labelled ‘to the Christmas Dinner’.
If you want to know more about the event or how to volunteer, contact the organising team via their Facebook page or via email to: canterburychristmasdinner@gmail.com
For our story from last year, click here.
The Christmas Dinner initiative was started by Lemn Sissay, Canterbury's Poet Laureate, who himself was in care at one time.
Picture: The Canterbury Christmas Dinner - for care leavers poster 2018. Picture credit: The Canterbury Christmas Dinner - for care leavers (reproduced with permission).
