JOHN Lewis and Waitrose have teamed up to deliver Christmas dinners to thousands of vulnerable people in Warrington.
Thousands of care leavers across the UK are unable to provide for themselves at Christmas, as they leave the care system at the age of 18, and are more likely to be made homeless than go to university.
Award-winning poet Lemn Sissay created the Christmas Dinner Initiative in 2013, and it is being rolled out across the UK for its ninth year - including in Warrington.
The Christmas Dinner wrapping day starts today in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/ehX49xaFPT
— lemn sissay OBE FRSL (@lemnsissay) December 17, 2022
The project involves a 'steering group' of volunteers coming together to support a local community of vulnerable young people.
Included on the day is a Christmas dinner, as well as recipients being provided with bags full of essential shopping items, plus some Christmas treats, too.
The initiative is being supported by John Lewis and Waitrose, and the retail giants have pledged donations of thousands of food items for the day.
In Warrington, there will be no singular Christmas Day event, but volunteers will instead travel to the care leavers in order to support them there.
There will be 1,500 recipients of support over the festive period, all aged 18-25 years old, with the John Lewis partnership donating two bags of essential items to each, in order to ensure that they are supported over the coming days, too.
Lemn Sissay, said: "The Christmas Dinner in Warrington is community at its best, giving care leavers hope on Christmas Day. The team have met throughout winter to pool their skills and make this happen.
"John Lewis and Waitrose have joined all the dinners across the country. The local residents of Warrington have been incredible. I mean it.
"They have made magic happen."
Behind the scenes, @waitrose and @JohnLewisRetail have been our Secret Santa this year. They have provided food hampers for 1,200 young people who would otherwise be alone at Christmas. We would like to shout a great big THANK YOU.
— Gold from the Stone Foundation (@GoldFSF) December 19, 2022
Lindsey Crompton, social impact lead at the John Lewis Partnership said: "The Christmas Dinner Project volunteers do amazing work to bring joy and community to young people who’ve been in care at Christmas.
"We’re so pleased that Waitrose can help with food and treats to see care leavers through from Christmas into the new year.
"We’re proud to play a small part in this brilliant initiative to give a merry Christmas to care leavers across the country.”
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