Spread some Christmas cheer!
Here are some volunteering roles for Christmas in Havant, Winchester, Wickham and Alton:
Havant
Leigh Park Christmas Grotto has been going now for nearly 20 years, running for 3 days a week at least in the last 4 weeks before Christmas. It is entirely staffed by volunteers who give of their own time freely in creating a winter wonderland in one of the empty shops in Greywell Shopping Precinct, and then welcoming children from the community to experience the true spirit of Christmas.
Volunteer roles available:
- Helping to build the grotto
- Welcoming the children in, and chatting to them while they wait.
- Being a runner to the Elves workshop with the name and age of each child.
- Sitting with Santa while they tell him what they would like for Christmas.
(Costumes are provided for all the above roles)
- Helping to select the present for each child in the elves workshop, and preparing the card from Santa.
- In early January, helping to pack the grotto away. To find out more: https://volunteerfirst.co.uk/opportunities/help-in-santas-grotto-1002741/
Hampshire
HOST UK promotes international friendship and understanding by enabling international students in the UK to enjoy short homestay visits in a British home.
During Christmas and New Year, visits are especially popular. Students are keen to experience what they know to be a time of celebration and long held tradition.
As a volunteer host you will open your home for the weekend to receive your student guest and make them a part of your family for that short but precious time. To find out more:
https://volunteerfirst.co.uk/opportunities/short-term-host-cultural-exchange-christmas-2106/
Winchester – Naomi House
Naomi House Hospice for Children and Young Adults are holding their annual Santa Fun Run on Sunday 1st December. The 5km Winchester route will start at the Guildhall and take you around the city streets, before crossing the finish line.
Dressed in a shiny red Santa suit, accompanied by thousands of fellow Santa Clauses and surrounded by a lively, festive crowd, the Santa Fun Run is a fun event. Each runner is asked to aim to raise £50 for the hospice. To register: https://www.naomihouse.org.uk/index.php/events/393-winchester-santa-fun-run
Winchester – Nightshelter
Volunteers are needed for the Charity Card Shop – Saturday 30th November – 1 or 2 hours shifts from 9.45am to 5pm
– Christmas Market – Saturday 14th December – 1 or 2 hour shifts from 9.30am to 8pm
– Christmas Day – cooking the Christmas meal and/or as a day volunteer with the staff member on duty
To register your interest go to: https://volunteerfirst.co.uk/opportunities/christmas-volunteering-1003898/
Winchester – Trinity
Trinity Winchester need volunteers for the following:
December:
- Sainsbury’s Bucket Collection
- Tesco Bucket Collection
- Waitrose Bucket Collection
- Santa Sleigh
To find out more please contact Sharnna Carter email sharnna@trinitywinchester.org.uk
Wickham Community Centre – Christmas Fair
Our Christmas Fair is on Sunday 1st December. It starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm. We have a café, Childrens crafts, 4 rooms of stallholders and musical entertainment. Last year we had 800 people come through our doors.
Entry is free and we have a free large car park.
We would like volunteers to monitor the car park from 11am to 2pm (making sure no one parks on verges or blocking access) and to greet customers as they come in and show them straight upstairs (one way system, we do have a lift too).
Please contact Mr Jules Bridger, Deputy Manager
Email jules@wickhamcentre.co.uk Tel. 01329 833 688
Alton
Home-Start Hampshire is holding its Santa Run on Saturday 30th November in conjunction with the Alton Yuletide Weekend.
Time to brush off your Christmas fancy dress, there are races for all, 1km team race, children’s race and Santa stroll followed by the 3km run. Medals for all competitors and prizes for the best fancy dress. To register: https://home-starthampshire.org.uk/alton-santa-run-saturday-30th-november-2019/