Cocoon Christmas Day
Cocoon Christmas Day (formerly Richmond Christmas Day Dinner) is an annual event for care leavers aged 18+ to celebrate their resilience and create positive memories. Members of the community get together to create a unique Christmas Day experience. The aim of the event is very simple: that no young adult care leaver should feel alone on Christmas Day.
We started as small group of volunteers, led by Sian Thomas who was a local nurse at the time, that organised the first Richmond Christmas Day Dinner in 2017. Sian was inspired to take action after meeting a young homeless man on Christmas Eve 2016 who she got chatting to and learned he had grown up in care. With the help of an ever growing number of wonderful volunteers and incredible community support, we have been able to put on a magical Christmas Day event every year since for up to 60 care leavers and their children. Even during the pandemic when we delivered Christmas to their doors.
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We are hugely grateful for the support of the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation who have generously supported us since 2021.
In 2023, we received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and Postcode Society Trust. Postcode Society Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community groups.
“I wasn't feeling great waking up on Christmas morning as I usually do, but going to the Christmas Day event really made me enjoy the day and I'm grateful to everyone that's made it possible - thank you!”
“I had so much fun and got a bit emotional at the end as this was one of the best Christmases I've ever had. You have made a massive positive impact. We really appreciate every single one of the volunteers.”
"I felt overwhelmed in a good way when I got home. Wondering why and how so many people I don't even know have done this for me."
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