The Christmas Dinner Middlesbrough & Teesside

The Christmas Dinner Middlesbrough & Teesside

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About our cause

Volunteers across Teesside will come together for the first time this Christmas, to host Care Leavers aged 18-25 to ensure that they are not alone or isolated on Christmas Day. For many of our guests, Christmas is a reminder of everything they have NEVER had.

Christmas dinners (for care leavers) across the UK, are organised by volunteers in that area in support of local Care Leavers. Our (Middlesbrough & Teesside) steering group will work tirelessly to promote the care leaver and gather support for them. This project shows communities at their best. Our event will take place in central Middlesbrough.

We aim to share our belief in the care-leaver. They are extraordinary members of society - many of them are invisible and in need on Christmas Day.

Harry Potter was a foster child, Elf too, and Oliver Twist, James Bond and Luke Skywalker. All these characters of our staple Christmas television were fostered, adopted or orphaned. Harry Potter ran away, Oliver Twist asked for More and Elf... well just watch the film. They all exhibited extraordinary behaviours to deal with their extraordinary situations. Our communities become part of the hero’s story by helping to make these dinners happen.

You are helping the Harry Potters, the Lisbeth Salanders, the Luke Skywalkers of this world - by saying to them “do not go over to the dark side we need you here”.
One young woman asked "is this a trick?" when invited to a Christmas dinner. Just think for a minute… What life experience might lead a person to ask this? It doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s not a trick. It is a change of narrative and the “narrative” is simple. You are worth it and we believe in you so here you are, a gift. It’s for you. Merry Christmas.’

Having left familiar surroundings, this may well be their first Christmas away from care - and alone. Our aim is to ensure that they do not feel isolated and alone, and to show them that they are valued and that their community cares about their wellbeing. This small act can be hugely beneficial to their mental and physical wellbeing.

It is important that our guests know that we care about them, particularly given the challenges of the past eighteen months.

This annual project founded by the poet Lemn Sissay OBE, encourages local communities to provide a Christmas Day for care leavers aged between 18 and 25, in their local community.

The Vision: Highlight the challenges facing care leavers and do everything possible to ensure that no care leaver in our area is alone on Christmas Day.

The Mission: To mobilise the local community to provide on an amazing Christmas Day for young Care Leavers who may otherwise spend the day alone.

To quote Lemn (who is also a former care leaver), “many care leavers are sat in flats, B&B’s and hostels, away from family, or sofa surfing and some are indeed living on the streets on their own at Christmas. Christmas is a reminder of everything they never had… I know because I’ve shared their experiences.”

Many of our guests find it difficult to equate Christmas with having a good time as this is something that they have never experienced. Sadly it tends rather to be a reminder of everything they have NEVER had.

We want to show them what “good” should look and feel like so that they have something to build on and take forward in life. Hopefully this will help to equip them with the “tools” they need to build festive traditions for their own families in the future.

Another benefit of this event is that if a well-meaning colleague or acquaintance asked if they had a good Christmas, for many having attended this event gives them the first ever opportunity to answer the question. This boosts self-confidence and morale, and ultimately mental wellbeing.

We need your help to make this happen in 2021 as well as to can continue to offer and even expand our service year on year!

Thank you for your support and good luck!

Yours sincerely,

Jill Ambrazaitis

Next draw prizes

£25,000 jackpot

Next draw

4d 5h 47m

Sat 14 December 2024

Draw results

£25,000 Jackpot

7 6 6 8 8 4
  • Winner! Mr K (Middlesbrough) Won £25.00!
  • Winner! Ms B (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won £25.00!
  • Winner! Ms J (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won £25.00!
  • Winner! Mx G (HARROGATE) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr B (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr A (GUISBOROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mx S (DERBY) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr I (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Ms S (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr G (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr T (STOCKTON-ON-TEES) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mx P (Stockton-On-Tees) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mx C (Middlesbrough) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Mr R (Middlesbrough) Won 3 extra tickets!
  • Winner! Ms S (MIDDLESBROUGH) Won 3 extra tickets!
Sat 07 Dec 2024

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