Steps support a community Christmas

Steps joined other London Bridge employees to get the festive spirit flowing at the end of 2011 with the annual Team London Bridge Community Christmas gift collection.  The project aims to ensure that local Southwark residents who use charities over Christmas receive at least one gift at this time of year, as they may not have family of their own or the means to celebrate themselves.



Georgina Dawkins, Business Manager at Team London Bridge, co-ordinates the collection, wrapping and distribution of the 600 or so gifts. “It’s a project that starts in October, when I start working with local charities to find out how many people they will be welcoming at their Christmas dinner. The support we get from local businesses is amazing, both in donations and volunteers to wrap – we started this project three years ago and donated to three charities, now we donate to twice as many!”

This year, gifts were donated to six charities in the local area.  Beormund Community Centre provides residents with a broad range of activities and a venue for social and cultural events, and Coral Newell, who runs the Centre, said “Christmas has come to Bermondsey! The distribution of the toys and lovely clothes - over 60 families who are very much in need have benefited by receiving a nice Christmas parcel. Well done - do keep the good work up and a special thank you to all your donors.”

CoolTan Arts, a mental health and arts charity that believes mental well-being is enhanced by the power of creativity – also benefitted from the programme.  Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive, said “It was the best Christmas event ever here at CoolTan Arts because it was the first time we have had presents. People went home in their dressing gowns - they were such a hit! Many people said ‘I would not have a present this Christmas if it had not been for this event' as lots of the participants, especially some of the men, do not have any family or people to share it with.”

Metropolitan Support Trust Day Centre on Jamaica Road is another mental health day centre, offering day trips, courses and workshop, friendship and advice to those with severe and enduring mental health problems. Nazir Yatoo manages the centre and is the senior care worker there. He said, “We had a wonderful Christmas party. Most of our members have very limited or no social network and receiving a Christmas present means so much to them and really lifts their mood. I would like to express sincere thanks and immense gratitude to you and your team, on behalf of the staff team and all members for making our Christmas party special and memorable.”

Gifts were also sent to Bede House, both to young people who use the youth club, but also to elderly people supported by the charity. Elderly people at the Christmas dinner held by Time and Talents also benefitted, whilst the Central and Cecil hostel for homeless women, based in Waterloo received 46 gifts – one for each of their residents.

Team London Bridge and the above charities have expressed their thanks to the businesses that donated some wonderful presents, and to all of the generous volunteer wrappers, who did such a wonderful job donating their time and skills. 

Steps were delighted to contribute to such a well deserving cause and to give something back to the local community at Christmas time.  We will continue to work with Team London Bridge on community initiatives throughout the year as part of our commitment to CSR and local community initiatives.

If you would like to learn more about Team London Bridge, please visit their website www.teamlondonbridge.com - and to get involved with volunteering events and activities, please get in touch with georgina@teamlondonbridge.co.uk.  

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