Don’t use -3 as Shifty has got caption wrong
A GROUP of volunteers who ensure young care leavers who would otherwise spend their Christmas alone have somewhere to go are asking the public for help to ensure the event can succeed again this year.
The scheme is led by Beth Goodliffe, a young care leaver who has first-hand experience of what she is attempting to make others avoid.
It is part of a bigger national movement which originated in Manchester and was started by the poet, Lemn Sissay MBE, another care leaver.
It made its way to Barnsley seven years ago when Beth challenged people in the town to put on a Christmas dinner.
Beth said: ” The aim of the project is that no care leaver should spend Christmas day alone.
“Inspired by this, and as a care leaver myself, I have been determined the same should be true for the young people of Barnsley.
“I have personally experienced what it is like to spend Christmas day alone, and the negative impact this had on my mental health.
“So, in 2018 I took on the challenge of starting and leading a dinner for Barnsley.
“Since then, we have successfully hosted six dinners, creating a special day for those who would otherwise have spent it on their own.
“We are a small group of volunteers who fundraise, organise a venue, catering, presents and transport, to create magic and memories that will last a lifetime.
“Whilst this is no mean feat, it’s a great experience to be involved in.”
When the Covid pandemic hit the project delivered presents for Christmas Day and the ingredients to make a dinner with an accompanying instructional video made by students at Barnsley College.
Angela Fawcett, a steering group member, told the Chronicle the scheme supports some of the most vulnerable people in the town.
“On Christmas Day we invite young care leavers who otherwise wouldn’t have anywhere else to go or they’d be alone,” she said.
“We make sure that everyone can spend the day together and they get presents and a Christmas dinner.
“A lot of young people will go and spend it with their foster families.
“But others who might have been moved around a lot will come along.
“This will be our seventh year and we always get a lot of support in terms of donations.”
However Angela said this year they’re facing two issues.
She added: “One of the problems is that we’re still looking for a venue.
“We expect around 25 care leavers to come every year but it varies.
“With the volunteers we’d be looking at around 35 to 40 people there.
“We’ve previously done it at village halls and last year we did it at Wentworth Castle.
“We always want to try and make it new and different for everyone who attends.”
The second request is somewhat more niche.
“We’re also looking for someone to come and help cook the Christmas dinner,” she said.
“We have a wrapathon in the run up to Christmas where people come and help wrap the gifts that we’ve been donated.”
