This year our festive schedule of community engagement has really snowballed, with 10 BID-facilitated Christmas-themed events gaining momentum across the holiday season, creating community connections and making magical moments.
From 26 November to 17 December 2025, 54 employee volunteers from nine BID members swapped desks for good deeds as they provided a helping hand to a number local charities and schools.
In addition, 151 pupils from five local schools, including three BID members Connaught House School, Hampden Gurney CE Primary School and Sylvia Young Theatre School, were provided with festive pupil enrichment opportunities, from inter-generational afternoon tea, choir singing and attending a Santa’s Grotto.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Community Programme’s Christmas activity schedule. These activities have benefited over 400 local people including those most vulnerable to social isolation over the holiday period.
Here’s a summary of what took place:
The festive season began on 26 November 2025 with an inter-generational afternoon tea when pupils from Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School attended Penfold Community Hub. 13 pupils aged 8 to 9 sang carols to 23 older people to create a festive atmosphere with songs such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Feliz Navidad. Afterwards, the pupils joined the older people to draw and crayon Christmas scenes.
The next day, fresh from the school’s starring role in launching the Edgware Road Christmas Lights, students from Sylvia Young Theatre School brought Christmas Cheer to members of Age UK Westminster with a carol performance, before an opportunity for conversation and refreshments to share stories and experiences.
On 27 November 2025, two employee volunteers from Almacantar joined LDN London to kick-off their Christmas calendar of events by trying new craft activities while socialising at its Harrow Road hub. Eight participants created personalised bracelets and coloured wooden Christmas Tree decorations, all with festive tunes in the background.
34 pupils from Christ Church Bentinck CE Primary School entertained guests and staff at the Hilton London Metropole on 28 November 2025 with a rousing performance of Christmas carols in its beautifully decorated reception area. Hotel staff then treated the pupils to hot chocolate, festive cookies and cake.
Three employee volunteers from Maxx Marketing decorated the communal lounge at supported living residence, Daventry House on 2 December 2025. The team decorated not one but two Christmas trees and placed wall hangings throughout the space. Volunteers also supported 12 residents at their Tuesday Coffee Club with Christmas Craft activities, making the most of their festive surroundings.
The next day, five employee volunteers from Barclays helped local older people create personalised Christmas cards using ribbons, stickers and glitter at Penfold Community Hub. Barclays also kindly donated £500 to hire an adapted minibus to ensure older people with limited mobility could enjoy a social day out this Christmas.
Our biggest team challenge this Christmas saw 20 employee volunteers from three BID members join forces on 4 December 2025 to decorate the Tresham Centre for Children and Young People with Disabilities. Employee volunteers from Tate & Lyle, Adams Street Partners and Maxx Marketing transformed its ground floor space, used by its younger years, to bring the magic of Christmas to the centre. Participants created a colourful and vibrant interactive winter wonderland with Christmas garlands and decorations, including a Santa’s Grotto play area and an illustrated window entrance of festive scenes. The centrepiece of its main hall, a 6ft Christmas tree, was beautifully decorated with decorations kindly supplied by Tate & Lyle.
Marriott Hotel Marble Arch dished up a luxurious Christmas Lunch for 45 older people at Penfold Community Hub on 5 December 2025. The three-course meal began with a butternut squash and sage soup, followed by roast turkey with festive vegetables, and for dessert a lemon brûlée with meringue and vanilla sauce. Entertainment was provided by 14 pupils from Connaught House School singing carols and hand delivering Christmas cards to guests.
On 9 December 2025, six employee volunteers from Bluewater helped put up the Christmas decorations at Leonora House and led a Christmas crafts session with residents. Volunteers decorated the main entrance, communal lounge and the dementia unit with tinsel, wall hangings and festive window stickers. Residents and volunteers added their own personalised decorations working together to create festive garlands, Christmas Tree decorations and mini Rudolph the Reindeer ornaments.
Once again, the London Hilton Metropole hosted a Festive Board Game Session and Afternoon Tea for 34 older people from Penfold Community Hub and Age UK Westminster on 16 December 2025. 12 staff members joined in games of Uno, dominoes and Jenga as guests enjoyed delicious turkey and cranberry and cucumber and dill sandwiches, and luxurious red velvet cake, stollen and mince pies among a wide range of treats. In addition, two staff members also donned the big red suit and channelled their inner Santa, donating a gift-wrapped present to every guest in attendance.
Last but by no means least, activities culminated with a show-stopper Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Market experience on 17 December 2025, delivered by the Alliance of Independent Event Agencies (AIEA) and hosted by the Victory Services Club. The BID facilitated 56 pupils from two local primary schools to attend the event, where the five to seven-year-olds got to receive a gift-wrapped present from Santa Claus himself, take part in Christmas craft activities, exchange free tokens for gifts and enjoy a tasty Christmas buffet lunch.
