Hove school puts on Christmas lunch for those who could have been alone

Staff and students from a Hove school teamed up with a loneliness charity to put on a special event on Christmas Day.
The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park SchoolThe Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School
The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School

Headteacher of Hove Park School Jim Roberts said: "We wanted to make a difference to the people in our community. So we came up with the idea that we would open our school on Christmas Day and serve Christmas lunch to those that would otherwise be on their own."

Working with befriending charity Time to Talk, school students and staff provided food, entertainment and conversation for dozens of older people the local community.

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The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park SchoolThe Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School
The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School

Students also made up gift hampers for visitors to take home with them.

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The idea came from a group of staff at Hove Park and over the last few months they’ve worked hard to make it happen.

The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park SchoolThe Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School
The Together at Christmas event at Hove Park School

An 18-year-old former pupil at Hove Park said : "I've really enjoyed talking with people I otherwise would never have met. Christmas at home is nice, but it's always the same. This was a different experience for me and it felt really special to be part of the first Hove Park Together at Christmas."

Norma, in her sixties, thought the whole day was 'absolutely wonderful'.

She said: "This school is doing something really marvellous for me and others like me. I could tell this school and the people who work here were amazing as soon as I walked in the door. The lovely carols sung by the staff, the fresh greenery, the lights, all the beautiful food and stimulating conversation made me feel instantly welcomed.

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"I was a theatrical costumer so I have an eye for detail...everything was so well planned and there was so much of everything. It was obvious everyone loved being involved from their warmth and enthusiasm. I feel lucky to have been here today”.

Walter, who is in his early seventies, was equally enthusiastic.

"I've had a fantastic day," he said. "Not only did I hear lovely music, which took me back to my days in the school choir, I had a huge meal with the added bonus of a sprout-eating competition with Julie, who also provided outstanding waitress service at my table.

"Not only did I get a really nice raffle prize, I'm also going home with a hamper full of things I really need and like.

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"Everyone got an equally large hamper. I'm quite overwhelmed...I would have been on my own today otherwise and it would have just have been an ordinary day. Hove Park School has made my day extraordinary and I can't thank them enough for their kindness and generosity".

Headteacher Mr Roberts said: "A community is about looking out for each other and looking after each other. Our Together at Christmas event was about supporting members of our community that would otherwise have been on their own.

"Students and staff have come together and worked incredibly hard over the last few months to make this happen. I also need to recognise the contribution local businesses have made. They recognised the value and importance of what we were trying to achieve and were incredible in their generosity and kindness."

Emily Kenward, CEO of Time To Talk Befriending, said: "Although the feeling loneliness can affect people of all ages, at Time to Talk Befriending we witness first hand just how damaging this feeling can be.

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"We meet amazing older people every day who have a rich life history to share, yet for the majority of our 287 scheme members, before being connected to the charity, could go for weeks or months at a time without seeing anyone.

"We hear things like ‘I don’t want to live anymore’ or that people feel they have ‘no purpose’.

"Experience also tells us that Christmas can be the most emotive and lonely time. Remembering loved ones who have passed or memories of days gone by... we therefore can’t advocate enough the need to tackle this serious life threatening issue of loneliness in older age, head on!

"It was amazing to see such a huge turnout at the Hove Park School Together at Christmas Event and it is a privilege to partner with the school on this and hopefully more intergenerational projects, in the future."