While many of us look forward to good food and quality time with friends and family, Christmas can be a challenge for some.

For those who struggle financially, Christmas shopping for food and presents may be difficult and for others who are alone or may not have friends or family nearby, Christmas can be a lonely time.

So, what is going on in Kingston and the surrounding areas to help those who may be alone, homeless, or struggling this Christmas? 

Gifts

Momentum Children's Charity

Family Support Workers at Momentum will be available for families who have a child with cancer or another life-challenging condition in hospital and at home this Christmas, ensuring that no one has to cope alone at this time of year.

In an exclusive interview with Kingston Nub, Momentum's Director of Service Delivery, Claire Dewsbury, said: "Christmas for children is still magical, but when you're poorly, you've got all the added complexities of if you're in hospital and what comes within the stresses of that.

"So, during COVID when all of us were stuck at home and couldn't go to see Father Christmas, we developed a wonderful thing called Doorstep Santa, and it's actually been something that we've continued to do."

Dewsbury explained that the charity has a team of around 20 Santa and Elves, teams, crews, that are going out to visit its families across London, Surrey and Sussex, delivering personalised and unique doorstep visits to families, along with a sack full of goodies.

She said: "Each of those visits is very personal to each of the families, but we just couldn't do it without the support of our dedicated volunteers who give up their time so generously."

Momentum's office also currently looks like Santa's Grotto, "which is bursting at the scenes with all the very generous donations of toys and gifts that we've had from some of our supporters," says Dewsbury.

She said: "We have the most loyal volunteers.

"So, when we first started out, it was very much about delivering it to all of the families because obviously, no one was going out to see Santa. Whereas now the project really focuses on children who would or families who would otherwise be unable to get out to see Santa.

"So, they might be struggling because they're stuck indoors, or they may have been recently bereaved and actually going out into broader community events to see Santa just isn't right for them right now."

She continued: "They would rather have something at home that's very personal and sensitive to them.

"So, it kind of recognises that this service, this offer can be unique just for them and that they don't have to worry about any of the other external factors that may be concerning them at this time."

 Momentum Children's Charity supports families across London, including in Kingston, Surrey, and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition.

The charity partners with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through its family support workers, both in hospital and at home.

Anyone can donate a gift to Momentum.

You can donate to Momentum and help change a child's life this Christmas via its website.

Homelessness

Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness

Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) work with people who are homeless or face the threat of becoming homeless.

KCAH holds drop-in services whereby those who attend can seek advice on finding shelter, whether at KCAH's private accommodation or elsewhere.

This service runs every Monday- Friday throughout the year, including over the festive period and excluding public holidays.

The charity also helps people get grant funding from the council, which can be up to £400. These grants help people pay bills and buy food and gifts for Christmas.

Food

Surbiton Community Fridge



Surbiton Community Fridge will be offering free food on various days throughout the festive period (Credit: Surbiton Community Fridge)

One of the best things about Christmas is eating copious amounts of food, but not everyone has this option.

No one should go hungry, especially at Christmas, so Surbiton Community Fridge is helping those in need this Christmas by giving out free food.

Surbiton Community Fridge's opening times over the festive period are:

• Monday 23 December and Monday 30 December: 11am – 1pm.
• Tuesday 24 December and Tuesday 31 December: 11am – 1pm.
• Friday 27 December and Friday 3 January: 11am – 1pm.
• Sunday 29 December and Sunday 5 January: 11am - 1pm.

Surbiton Community Fridge will not be running on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays, meaning it is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve.

It is located on Kingston Road Recreation Ground.

Cambridge Road Estate (CREst) Community Group

CREst Community Group will be distributing free food at its free Christmas Panto on 23 December in Archway, which is located at 11 Daffodil Walk.

The Panto, The Night Before Christmas, will be on at 11am and 3pm.

To book, call 07585278388.

The group also partners with Sainsbury's basin "whose customers are very kind at donating basic items to help our community members who are struggling," says CREst Community Group's leader, Jill Preston.

"These donations are collected by our volunteers several times a week. These donations are offered every week to residents."

To find out about further support for those in need in Kingston over the festive period, check out this leaflet.