Royal Voluntary Service
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Royal Voluntary Service at Christmas

At Royal Voluntary Service, our work won’t stop because it’s Christmas. We know that this is a time for coming together and for supporting each other. Our volunteers will be working tirelessly over the festive period, bringing help, support, company, and comfort to so many people in our communities and hospitals right throughout Britain.

Our Festive Spread

💥 Pulling crackers, 🥂 Saying cheers, 🥔 Fighting over the last roastie… Christmas shouldn’t be something you celebrate on your own.

But without our support, many people could spend the entire festive season without someone to talk to.

This Christmas, we’re expanding Our Festive Spread and hosting more celebrations that ever before – right throughout Britain, for people to come together and share a hot, nutritious meal in the company of others.

We have hundreds of services in England, Wales, and Scotland, and they’re all opening their doors to welcome more people to join in the fun. So if you’d like to ‘bring something to the table’ this year, you can make a donation to Our Festive Spread by following the link below.

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Keeping connected

Our Royal Voluntary Service ‘Social Dining’ clubs operate all year round, but throughout December they’ll be making things a little ‘extra special’ by laying on ‘Festive Spreads’ for anyone wanting to attend.

While the idea of a simple Christmas lunch might not seem special to everyone, for those who come to our clubs – those who often live alone and suffer with long-term health conditions – it’s something very special indeed.

"If I didn’t come to the Royal Voluntary Service lunch club each week, I’d be sat staring at the same four walls all day, every day.” – Mina, Royal Voluntary Service Social Dining member.

Find your local Festive Spread
Friends enjoying a Christmas lunch at a Festive Spread with Royal Voluntary Service

Safe spaces and friendly faces

Royal Voluntary Service is proud to invite you to support Our Festive Spread and help give more people like William a hot festive meal and the gift of companionship this Christmas.

When his wife, Sylvia, was diagnosed with Dementia, William cared for her at home on his own. When Sylvia sadly passed away, William, who is 86, found himself isolated and alone. Without the help of Royal Voluntary Service volunteers and our Lunch Club in his area, William would be spending the entire festive period alone.

"The Christmas celebration at the Royal Voluntary Service centre is the only day over Christmas that I won't spend on my own. Without it, I wouldn't see anyone at all." - William, Royal Voluntary Service Lunch Club client.

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Royal Voluntary Service lunch club participant wearing a Christmas jumper, Santa hat and tinsel

Something for everyone

Last year it was estimated that around 500,000 over 65-year-olds spent Christmas alone. We know we can’t reach everyone, but throughout December, we’ll be hosting more in-person festive events than ever before. 

If getting out and about is tricky, do join us online at our Virtual Village Hall Festive Spread Celebration on Friday 12 December at midday, featuring seasonal music, poetry, special guests and a fun quiz. Whether you’re facing this time of year alone or just fancy a relaxed, online get-together at home, you’ll find a warm welcome. Please note that the Festive Celebration will be recorded on the day.

Reserve your place!
Older people at a Festive Spread Christmas lunch being served by Royal Voluntary Service volunteers

Life-changing support when it matters most

This Christmas, our in-hospital volunteers will be working as hard as ever – taking referrals from NHS staff, earning patients’ trust, identifying individual needs, and arranging their safe return home following illness, treatment, or surgery.

Once back at home, our volunteers will call regularly to check in and make sure everything is ok, and they’ll even be on-hand to pick up and deliver urgent prescriptions, and to collect and deliver essential food shopping to make sure no one goes hungry this winter.

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Royal Voluntary Service volunteers supporting at a festive spread Christmas lunch event for older people

How your donation could help this Christmas

Festive lunch - £5

A gift of £5 could cover the cost of a hot Christmas lunch for an isolated older or vulnerable person at one of our volunteer-run lunch and social clubs. This could give someone an opportunity to eat a meal in the company of others this Christmas.

Winter welfare call - £7.50

A gift of £7.50 could cover the cost of a telephone welfare call from a trained volunteer to someone who is isolated, alone, and struggling with loneliness this Winter. Our Calls with Care service gives people the chance to talk to someone over the festive period, and offers reassurance that help is on hand if needed.

Home visit - £10

A gift of £10 could help us to send a volunteer to visit someone at home this Christmas time – someone who has become isolated and alone.

Older People enjoying a Festive spread Christmas lunch from Royal Voluntary Service

Vital Patient Transport - £25

A gift of £25 could help us to safely transport patients to and from their vital medical appointments at hospitals and surgeries. Often this is to receive life-saving treatments.

Support Recovery at Home - £50

A gift of £50 could help support someone returning home from hospital alone with ongoing visits, food shopping, and prescription collections and deliveries. Our vital support allows patients to continue their recovery at home instead of having prolonged stays in hospital.

Festive celebration - £200

A gift of £200 could cover the cost of a festive event at one of our lunch and social clubs. This could cover the cost of a hot, nutritious meal for up to 20 older or vulnerable people, with decorations and entertainment. This could provide people with the only chance they’ll get to eat a meal in the company of others this Christmas.

Old friends enjoying a Christmas celebration together and pulling crackers