Every Christmas, Shashi and Pallu Patel of ‘Meet and Deep News’ open their store to the community in Twickenham, London. For years they’ve put up a hand-written board that reads: “We are open on Christmas. If you are alone, pop in for a hug and a mince pie! You don’t have to buy anything. We are family.” It is no more a festival of just Christianity, Christmas is a global celebration across faiths and communities. The South Asian population embraces Christmas as much as they love Diwali. While the community has for time immemorial internalised charity and given away as many essentials to the less privileged and needy, there are more than just materialistic grounds when the festive season calls upon us to be a little more kind and empathetic towards each other as a community. While the festive season and its fiscal responsibility to make everyone happy with gifts and good celebrations rest upon adults of most families, it is the children and the elderly who need special care during Christmas. The newsweekly spoke to several organisations, charities and individuals, who are selflessly doing their bit to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas after all.
Starlight's Christmas Mission: Bringing joy to hospitalised children
As Christmas approaches, the Starlight Children's Foundation endeavours to brighten the holiday season for over 100,000 children in UK hospitals. Facing the challenge of being away from home and family, these children receive support from Starlight through play resources, gifts, and live pantomimes. Dr Krutika Pau, Deputy CEO/Director of Children’s Services at Starlight, told Asian Voice the foundation's initiatives, emphasising the power of play in promoting mental and physical health during treatment and recovery. Starlight collaborates with over 600 health settings, providing play opportunities that distract and entertain children while in hospitals. The live touring pantomime, featuring 'Aladdin,' brings joy and laughter to hospitals, fostering positive distractions. Play resources, including play boxes and Health Play Specialists funded by Starlight, contribute to reducing the traumatic impact of hospital experiences. Starlight's Christmas presents offer magic to children in and out of hospitals, creating positive memories amid challenging times. The public is invited to support Starlight's vision through sponsorship, online purchases, and donations, ensuring that every child experiences the joy of play during the festive season. “We have a small but mighty team that works directly with children to understand what really matters to them when they are in hospital. We undertake research and ongoing evaluation to gain insight on the impact of our work and with the support of external partners we provide resources that make medical procedures less stressful and traumatic for babies, children and young people,” she said. (Read her full interview on P14)
Care homes, fostering a sense of belonging
During Christmas, care homes play a crucial role in combatting loneliness among the elderly, who are susceptible to social isolation. Research indicates that nearly a million older individuals in the UK face heightened loneliness during the festive season. Aum Care, a UK homecare unit, recognises the importance of creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere for service users. CEO Pranav Vora told us that he emphasises honouring individual stories and traditions, fostering a sense of belonging. Initiatives include personalised celebrations based on unique traditions and cultural backgrounds, combating loneliness through companionship, and involving families in the festivities to strengthen support networks. These efforts aim to make Christmas a special memory for elderly individuals in care facilities.
No one goes hungry
SEVA Trust has been supporting people facing homelessness and other hardships for the past four years. They have no paid staff in our charity and all the volunteers and trustees devote their services and time in line with the concept of Seva (selfless service for all). Charan Sekhon MBE, Founder & Chairman Social Education Voluntary Association (SEVA) Trust UK told the newsweekly, “We received a lot of requests for help during the Covid-19 pandemic but the ongoing cost of living crisis has impacted a lot of people. We have been working with a local charity SMART CJS and local voluntary groups in Bedfordshire by providing free hot meals and staple food to the most vulnerable and people facing homelessness. We have arranged extra street visits during the festive season to ensure no one goes hungry and we are arranging special Christmas and hot meals for the most vulnerable. I would like to convey my sincere thanks to all our volunteers and the supporting partners. Whilst we all spend time in our own families during Christmas, we must think about those who need our help and must offer them the needed support. Anyone wishing to donate or support the SEVA Trust project, please visit our website.”
Freezers have been a "game-changer"
King Charles' donation of £1 million to buy 800 freezers for food charity, The Felix Project, has doubled its capacity to provide meals for struggling families. The charity redistributes surplus food, saving nearly a million meals a year that would otherwise be wasted. The freezers have been a "game-changer" for Towcester Community Larder, helping them cope with rising demand. The donation aligns with King Charles' Coronation Food Project, addressing both food waste and poverty. The funds came from the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund, now named the King Charles III Charitable Fund, reflecting a practical and impactful royal gift.
Tips for supporting someone with dementia at Christmas
Amidst the festive season's joys, Alzheimer's Society addresses the challenges faced by the 900,000 individuals coping with dementia during Christmas. With one in three UK residents expected to develop dementia, the holidays can be particularly demanding for affected individuals. Offering guidance, Angelo Makri, Alzheimer's Society's Senior Knowledge Officer for Wellbeing, suggests gradual decoration changes, simplicity, inclusion, creating quiet spaces, memory engagement, mindful food approaches, and flexibility. Acknowledging the evolving festive season with dementia, planning, and care can ensure a supportive and comforting environment, fostering joy and hope for those affected.
Strikes set to severely disrupt the NHS over the holidays warns top doctor
Upcoming NHS strikes raise concerns of holiday disruptions, as junior doctors plan the longest-ever strike from 7 am on January 3rd to 7 am on January 9th. The top doctor in England warns of significant NHS disruption amid winter pressure. With only two unaffected weekdays in the next three weeks, more than 1.1 million appointments have been rescheduled due to strikes over the past year. While planning and cover arrangements are in place, potential disruptions range from affecting routine care to administrative challenges. The NHS urges the public to use services as usual for urgent medical needs, emphasising 999 and A&E for emergencies.
Cash-strapped Christmas
A Quinyx study reveals UK frontline workers face greater financial strain than their European counterparts, with 56% stating wages barely cover living expenses. In contrast, 39% of Germans, 31% of Nordic workers, and 29% of Dutch peers face a similar challenge. The study, surveying over 3,000 workers, highlights 51% of UK workers will go into debt for Christmas, and 43% feel pressure to spend. Despite financial concerns, 41% in the UK find joy in others' festive spending. Start saving for Christmas 2024 with strategic tips, navigating Boxing Day sales confidently for maximum savings, from creating budgets to leveraging online shopping and seeking additional coupon codes.
Scams to beware of during the festive period
Beware of holiday scams during the festive season, as fraudsters exploit increased spending and busy schedules. Online shopping scams involve fake websites offering unbelievable discounts, leading to stolen credit card information. Delivery scams use texts or emails claiming a package requires payment, often including phishing links. Gift card fraud involves scammers demanding payments via gift cards, and charity scams target generous donors through fake charities. Additionally, loan fee scams promise a holiday financial solution but involve upfront fees with no loan delivery. Stay vigilant, shop from reputable websites, and verify charity legitimacy to protect yourself from these seasonal scams.
