Christmas is a particularly important time in the life of Age UK in Southwark – with their day centres usually filled with happy people singing carols and consuming vast quantities of mince pies throughout the festive season.

This year, however, the centres were closed as a result of Covid-19, so Age UK had to take Christmas to people at home. By combining our donation, a small grant from local charity United St Saviours’ and volunteer support from Pool Reinsurance, they were able to cook and deliver two Christmas meals to 63 of their most vulnerable members, the week before Christmas.

The Stones End Day Centre staff, who at the time were then on furlough, came back to work to deliver the Chritmas meals and gifts, using the minibuses that would usually bring people to the centre. All of the recipients were delighted to see friendly faces from the day centres who spent (socially-distant!) time with them, to let them know that they were not forgotten.