Help create a magical Christmas for local care leavers

Local charity Cocoon, Care After Care is calling for help from the local community to create the best Christmas ever for around fifty care-leavers.

Each year since 2017, young care leavers age 18-25 from Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow boroughs have come together to enjoy a Christmas Day event (formerly Richmond Christmas Dinner) packed with fabulous food, amazing gifts and great fun. Having left the care system, whether foster homes, children’s homes or other supported housing, they now live in flats, bedsits, or in supported accommodation. 

As December nears, the organisers who are all volunteers, are asking Richmond, Kingston, and Hounslow businesses and residents to help create something magical for those who would otherwise spend Christmas alone. 

They are in need of volunteers for Christmas Day, donations to fund essentials like taxis for the guests, presents, entertainment and all the Christmas trimmings, gifts from members of the community, 

Co-Founder of Cocoon, Care After Care, Adriana Thomas says “Community, kindness and connection are at the heart of everything we do, and our Christmas Day event is a very special way of showing care leavers in our community, who can often feel very isolated, that they are seen, valued and cared for. Every year we are blown away by the kindness and generosity of local people and businesses who come together to put on an incredible day for 50 very deserving young adults.”

Care leaver, Josh, who received funding from Cocoon Care After Care to complete a cookery course, and then went on to volunteer in the kitchen on Christmas Day 2022 says 'Cocoon Christmas Day 2022 was the first one I was a part of, and I have never been so excited for Christmas to come in all my life. It has genuinely changed the way I view the Christmas season for the better'.

To donate, volunteer or buy a gift for a care leaver please visit the Cocoon Care After Care website.