The centre offers numerous services such as advice on seeking employment or training opportunities, art classes to develop skills as well as a source of therapy, advice on managing money and benefit entitlement. Basically the centre offers it all.
Not only is it a place to learn new skills and receive advice, it's also a safe place to simply 'be'. The clients of the centre are incredibly diverse so it's an amazing place to learn about different people and cultures.
My employer (who sadly I am not allowed to name on social media - damn compliance policy!) provide funding and volunteers for the centre and yesterday I was lucky to be part of their Community Christmas Party.
The day started off by meeting the other volunteers at the centre at 9:30am. There were nine volunteers from my company and it was great to meet people from different parts of the business. After a quick introduction it was straight over to the hall to transform it into a magical Christmas party palace.
The hall before the little elves got to work.
I volunteered myself for wrapping duty. A few of us wrapped 70 pairs of socks in record time whilst the others were up and down the ladders fitting Christmas lights and decorations which were specially made by the clients of the centre.
Two little elves hard at work.
We all worked hard and managed to turn the room around in record time. Although there were lots of people coming and going, the organisation was incredible. It felt effortless everyone working together to get everything ready in time.
We headed back over to the main centre to start greeting the clients and handing out minced pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine.
I really enjoyed meeting everyone for the first time. I was on mince pie duties with the lovely Joie Leigh (Team GB Olympic Gold Medallist for Women's Hockey) so we had the chance to greet everyone and tempt them with the delicious mini warm mince pies.
To get everyone into the Christmas sprit we had a wonderful time singing Christmas carols. We belted out all the Christmas classics such as Santa Claus is coming to town and Jingle Bells.
Christmas carol time.
After we finished the carols it was time for the light parade over to the hall. The clients of the centre had made some magnificent lanterns and we all walked together to the hall whilst enjoying a lovely tune from the guitarist.
The line of clients holding the lanterns and candles.
On arrival at the hall, it was the volunteers jobs to get everyone seated and play hostess with offering drinks. Everyone was in such a great mood and it was lovely to see everyone chatting excitedly, taking lots of pictures and plenty of laughter and smiles.
The centre had organised some brilliant entertainment which included a hoopla dancer. Naturally it was time to get everyone involved and we all had a go with the hoola hoops.
My best Shakira moves (my hips don't lie).
It was nearing lunch time so it was time to put the hoops down and pick the plates up. Some incredible people from the centre had cooked a whole Christmas dinner at home for 70 people and transported it to the centre. Here's me stressing about cooking dinner for seven people and they can cook 70!!Even dishing out dinner for 70 people was so well organised. We all worked so well together and in no time everyone had been served including us helpers. This was my first Christmas dinner of the year so I really enjoyed it!
During dinner there was an incredible Frank Sinatra singer. I really enjoyed singing along and so did all the clients. It was lovely seeing everyone dancing along and enjoying themselves.
Throughout the day I would take little moments to simple watch the events unfold. It was beautiful to see everyone so joyous. I took the time to speak with some wonderful people including a lovely gentleman who served in the Navy during WW2. It was so nice to see his medals and to thank him for his bravery.
Another special moment for me was watching a lovely young women help feed her neighbour her dessert. They were both in wheel chairs and for me it was special to see how everyone helps each other out.
It was now time for a special guest appearance. We heard the jingle of bells and as if by magic Santa appeared! He had somehow filled his sack up with the socks his little helpers had wrapped and it was time to dish them out.
I fulfilled a dream of being Santa's helper!
Sadly it was nearing the end and we just had time for a few more dances before everyone headed off home. It was a little sad saying goodbye to everyone but it was so nice to hear the appreciation from everyone. It seemed a good time was had by all.
We had to help get the hall back to how it was before and pack everything up before leaving. Again it seemed like this was such simple work as we all worked together and it was finished in no time.
Before heading home we had a group picture taken. I can honestly say I met some amazing colleagues and I really hope to see them again. Our company is so big so we don't get to see everyone all the time so days like yesterday are a great opportunity to meet new colleagues.
If you have the opportunity to volunteer then please do. The centre has excellent information on how to volunteer on their website: http://www.bbbc.org.uk/volunteer-with-us
When it comes to volunteering or helping it doesn't have to be time consuming. There are so many things you can do to help others. As I mentioned in my other post (homelessness) you don't have to be much to make a huge difference to someone.
A hello to someone who is lonely, a hot drink to someone who is homeless or sort through your old clothes and give them to charity, it all helps.
Much love to you all,
Becky.
xxx