Barking and Dagenham Council is working with local voluntary organisations to bring some ‘Christmas Cheer’ to the borough, in what has been an awful year for everyone. With residents being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in one way or another, and as we get closer to Christmas, the council wants to start putting a smile back on people’s faces before the year is out.

The council’s ‘Christmas Cheer’ campaign is about providing hope, re-connecting people who might not be able to see each other at the moment, and supporting people who need a bit of help this festive season. 

One part of the campaign is a range of fun events for all the family. With the council’s regular ‘Barking Mad about Christmas’ event going virtual this year, there are also lots of other events planned and run by external local community groups and even a pantomime produced and hosted by local arts organisation, Studio 3 Arts, called The Princess and the Pea. The campaign is also about the local community coming together and the council are asking residents to get involved too. 

Another element of the campaign is a fundraising appeal. People can get involved by making a cash donation which will go towards helping a local vulnerable person or family to have a better Christmas. They can also donate a gift for a local child, whether that be a new toy or book, which can dropped off at the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library before 14 December, so they can be wrapped and sent out to children before Christmas.

2020 has been such a difficult year for people, so we wanted to make sure that we can bring that Christmas Cheer to our residents so it feels like there’s some light at the end of the tunnel

The council will also be providing food hampers which will include a craft making kit or food vouchers, to pupils who attend schools in the borough who receive free school meals. This is being organised in partnership with the school catering service BD Together, part of the Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership.

 

Residents can also spread some Christmas cheer, by sending pictures and videos of themselves and their family and friends, getting into the Christmas spirit. Whether that is putting up their Christmas tree, wearing a festive jumper, singing a carol or simply an old picture of them all getting together for their own version of a Christmas dinner if they mark the day in a different way. These will be used by the council in a series of videos shared on social media to spread some joy.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “This time of year is usually about getting together with family and loved ones whether you celebrate Christmas or aren’t religious at all. 

“2020 has been such a difficult year for people, so we wanted to make sure that we can bring that Christmas Cheer to our residents so it feels like there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. We are asking them to join us, whether that be taking part in one of the events, sharing with us how they celebrate or helping by donating something, no matter how small, towards helping our more vulnerable residents.”

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, Cllr Saima Ashraf said “Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, have a different faith or no faith at all, everyone can get involved in helping us to spread a bit of Christmas Cheer and bringing some hope back to Barking and Dagenham. 

“Barking and Dagenham has a proud tradition of community spirit, and of people, no matter how little they have, helping each other out. That’s why I’m proud to live in this borough.”

 

For more information about Christmas events and how you can get involved, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/christmascheer