Not only have Marble Arch BID members been making generous donations this festive season, they have also helped bring together the community to spread Christmas cheer and reduce isolation through a number of festive volunteering projects.
Here’s a snapshot of activities facilitated through our Community Programme. Thank you to all our business members, community and school partners who took part!
Hilton London Metropole
The Hilton London Metropole invited pupils from Christ Church Bentinck CE Primary School to its festive foyer to perform Christmas carols.
The 29 pupils, who all wore Santa hats, wowed hotel guests for an hour on 29 November to help bring Christmas cheer to the hotel’s reception area.
The afternoon began writing letters to Father Christmas as the hotel hosted the pupils with hot chocolate, cupcakes and cookies.
Pupils from Christ Church Bentinck take centre stage for carolling in the Hilton Metropole Hotel.
Pupils putting on their Santa hats.
Pupils write letters to Santa while they enjoy hot chocolate.
On 17 December , there was more merriment as the hotel organised a board games afternoon for older people from Age UK Westminster and Penfold Community Hub.
The 38 guests were served up afternoon tea as Hilton staff joined their guests for games of dominoes, Uno and Scrabble to help reduce loneliness during the holiday season.
The Hilton team served up a range of sandwiches, including turkey and cranberry, as well as a selection of pastries, cakes, mince pies and stollen.
Tea and cakes during a round of Uno at the Hilton Games Afternoon.
Hilton staff joined in the fun with guests from Age UK Westminster and Penfold Community Hub.
Guests gather around the Christmas Tree after a successful festive games afternoon.
Healthcare Central London
Employee volunteers from Healthcare Central London, a federation of 32 General Practices across Westminster with its head office based in Capital House, helped bring the community together for an afternoon tea on 5 December.
Residents at Leonora House, supported accommodation for older people and those living with disabilities on Lanark Road, welcomed pupils from Hampden Gurney CE Primary School, who wanted their pupils to understand the importance of intergenerational dialogue, especially during the holiday period when many older people can feel isolated.
The four employee volunteers brought a feast of delicious cakes, cupcakes and a fruit platters, all served up with cups of tea and juice and encouraged conversation between local primary school pupils and older people.
The wonderful pupils from Hampden Gurney made and handed out Christmas cards to all the guests and kept everyone entertained by singing carols, playing piano and working together with the residents to colour in festive scenes, which were gifted to residents as another reminder of a lovely afternoon.
A Healthcare Central London volunteer serves up fruit to the pupils.
The intergeneration afternoon tea in full swing.
The Healthcare Central London team proudly show off their Christmas Cards.
London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch
The volunteer team from London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch put on a majestic three-course Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings for local older people.
On 6 December, the team took over the kitchen at Penfold Community Hub to feed 40 local older people at their Christmas Party. On the menu was a starter of parsnip soup, vegetable wellington for main course and carrot cake for dessert. There were many complements for the chefs throughout the fun-filled afternoon.
After the main course was finished, the amazing pupils from Connaught House School entertained the group with carols and handed out hand-made Christmas cards to all of the guests. Both the chef team and the pupils received a hearty round of applause after a wonderful afternoon of food and socialising.
Marriott Marble Arch volunteers serve up a three-course meal.
Pupils entertaining guests at Penfold Community Hub.
Hammerson
The mince pies and festive songs were in full flow as employee volunteers at Hammerson supported Penfold Community Hub to put up their Christmas decorations. The team donned their Christmas jumpers and put up no fewer than four Christmas trees sharing some festive magic with residents. The day ended with a countdown to switching on the lights, a great many mince pies and even a festive sing along.
On 12 December, Hammerson staff helped prepare a 3-course Christmas feast for around 30 Open Age members. There was Christmas spirit aplenty with Christmas crackers, mince pies and festive singing and dancing throughout the day, with members as old as 99 getting stuck in!
A job well done by the Hammerson team decorating Penfold Community Hub for the festive season.
As the year draws to a close, we are looking ahead to an even more impactful 2025! If you are a Marble Arch BID member and would like to find out more about the wide range of community engagement and employee volunteering opportunities we offer, please contact community@marble-arch.london.