Christmas meal for elderly residents in Hammersmith & Fulham

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A local partnership between the council, charities and volunteers will provide residents over 60 years old with a meal delivered to their home by Christmas day.

According to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council, two in five residents over the age of 60 live alone in the borough.

The aim is for isolated older people to feel less alone during the holiday.

In 2019, the elderly residents were able to enjoy this Christmas activity together in the town hall.

They socialised, had entertainment and gift bags and were then dropped back home.

Together in spirit

Cllr Ben Coleman, Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “Although sadly we can’t invite residents to join us in person for their Christmas dinner again this year, we want to ensure nobody is left out.

“Last year, residents’ generosity meant we delivered an amazing 500 Christmas lunches to residents spending Christmas alone. This year, our target is 700.

“Any money or time you can give would be hugely appreciated.”

Volunteers preparing Christmas lunches in 2020

Working together

The Council has demographic data, which helps to identify the elderly population.

In parallel, UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham, a local charity connects donors with local people in need.

The charity has a place-based giving scheme, focusing on the area, its needs and where there are gaps to be filled.

Through their fundraising work, the organisation can ensure donations are directed where it is most needed.

UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham has been very active during the pandemic, funding a wide range of organisations.

They financially supported over 140 local groups, from food banks, youth organisations to domestic violence victims.

The team is currently raising funds to finance the festive meals, from both residents and corporate sponsors.

The goal is £28,000, half of which would come from individuals and half from local businesses.

So far, corporate sponsors include local businesses idverde and Shoots & Leaves, as well and local football club Queens Park Rangers.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, meals will be delivered directly to residents’ homes instead.

UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham Executive Director Savraj Kaur said: “The most we can say is they are remembered, the community is thinking of them.

They know that their neighbours are the ones who funded their meal and the drivers who drop the meals are a friendly face.”

Volunteers preparing Christmas lunches in 2020

Team work

The community has stepped up to meet a higher demand of residents this year.

Kaur added: “We are really grateful for everyone who has given, it’s really lovely to see people give to their neighbourhood and it’s important to make it a better place for everyone, not just those who are receiving meals.

We know that a lot of people will feel remembered on Christmas day even if they have to be by themselves.”

The meals will be prepared and delivered by the experienced team at The Smile Brigade and associated volunteers.

The social enterprise offers free and subsidised services and activities for people at risk of loneliness and poverty.

Their community kitchen has supplied thousands of meals to the community, especially for people isolating during the pandemic.

Volunteers will cook the meals for Christmas day and deliver them door to door.

Donations for the Christmas meal can be made here.

Photo credit: UNITED Hammersmith & Fulham

Help us provide Christmas lunches for older residents celebrating alone

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We’re halfway to hitting our fundraising target to host this year’s H&F Big Christmas lunch. But we still need your help.

Through the incredible generosity of residents, local businesses and organisations, the UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham charity and H&F Council have now raised more than £14,000 for the H&F Big Christmas Lunch.

But we still need to raise another £14,000 to provide 700 Christmas dinners for older residents who are celebrating alone this year.

Donate now

“It’s only through the generosity of our residents and businesses that we’re able to provide such an important service at Christmas,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of H&F Council.

“I want to thank anyone who has already donated their time or money to the cause. And rest assured, a donation of any size – no matter how small – will make all the difference this Christmas.”

Hot meals for Christmas

Two in five H&F residents over the age of 60 live alone.

Each Big Christmas Lunch will include a quality, slap-up hot meal cooked by a professional chef from our community, accompanied by a gift bag full of goodies.

They will be delivered by a friendly face in time for Christmas day – come rain, snow or shine – thanks to Fulham charity The Smile Brigade and its team of volunteers.

H&F’s ground maintenance contractor idverde, Hammersmith-based landscape construction company Shoots and Leaves and Queens Park Rangers football club are just three of the local organisations that have donated sizable amounts to our Big Christmas Lunch appeal.

“Christmas is about giving, and here at Shoots & Leaves we wanted to give something back to the community which has supported us over the past 22 years,” said Hew Stevenson, founder of Shoots and Leaves.

Another big thanks goes to DEBK Fulham Charity and the McGrath Charitable Foundation for their kind support for the lunch.

We need your help

The Big H&F Christmas Lunch brings our community together to help each other. It relies on the generosity of local people, businesses, and charities.

Here’s how your donation will make a difference:

  • £200 will pay for five Christmas packages of a delicious lunch and a gift bag
  • £40 will pay for one Christmas package of lunch and gifts
  • £15 will pay for one Christmas lunch

Donate now

Or contact Savraj Kaur, executive director of UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham at [email protected]

Want to volunteer?

The H&F Big Christmas Lunch wouldn’t be possible without the help of local charity The Smile Brigade and its team of volunteers.

They’re asking for extra volunteers to help deliver lunches from 21 December up to Christmas Day on the 25th. Deliveries can be made by foot, bike, or car – however you like.

The Smile Brigade are also looking for volunteers to help write Christmas cards and make festive hampers. Full PPE and volunteer guidelines will be provided and followed.

To volunteer, please visit The Smile Brigade volunteering page or email: [email protected]

Give a present for the gift bags

We also need presents of soaps, shower gels, toothpaste and toilet roll, warm socks, thermal vests, hats and scarfs. Christmas crackers, non-perishable food items, as well as fruit, vegetables, stuffing, gravy, chocolates, Christmas puddings and mince pies, would also be welcomed.

All gifts should be new and unwrapped and will help create a merrier Christmas for elderly residents spending it on their own.

To volunteer or donate a present to make someone else’s Christmas special, please fill in the volunteer sign up form (Google Forms).

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Please help us give a Big Christmas Lunch to elderly residents on their own

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Local charity UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham and the council are asking for your help in providing a hot Christmas meal to more than 700 older residents who might otherwise go without this Christmas.

We’re trying to raise £28,000 to pay for this – and any amount big or small will make a huge difference.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help deliver the lunch in Christmas week.

“Although sadly we can’t invite residents to join us in person for their Christmas dinner again this year, we want to ensure nobody is left out,” said Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.

“Last year, residents’ generosity meant we delivered an amazing 500 Christmas lunches to residents spending Christmas alone. This year, our target is 700. Any money or time you can give would be hugely appreciated.”

Donate now

Two in five H&F residents over the age of 60 live alone.

Each Big Christmas Lunch will include a quality, slap-up hot meal cooked by a professional chef from our community, accompanied by a gift bag full of goodies

They will be delivered by a friendly face to residents in time for Christmas day – come rain, snow or shine.

Each donation will make a difference

The Big H&F Christmas Lunch brings our community together to help each other. It relies on the generosity of local people, businesses and charities.

Here’s how your donation will make a difference:

  • £200 will pay for five Christmas packages of a delicious lunch and a gift bag
  • £40 will pay for one Christmas package of lunch and gifts
  • £15 will pay for one Christmas lunch

Donate now

Or contact Savraj Kaur, executive director of UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham at [email protected]

Want to volunteer?

The H&F Big Christmas Lunch wouldn’t be possible without the help of local charity The Smile Brigade and its team of volunteers.

They’re asking for extra volunteers to help deliver lunches from 21 December up to Christmas Day on the 25th. Deliveries can be made by foot, bike or car – however you like.

The Smile Brigade are also looking for volunteers to help write Christmas cards and make festive hampers. Full PPE and volunteer guidelines will be provided and followed.

To volunteer, please visit The Smile Brigade volunteering page or email: [email protected]

Give a present for the gift bags

We also need presents of soaps, shower gels, toothpaste and toilet roll, warm socks, thermal vests, hats and scarfs. Christmas crackers, non-perishable food items, as well as fruit, vegetables, stuffing, gravy, chocolates, Christmas puddings and mince pies, would also be welcomed.

All gifts should be new and unwrapped and will help create a merrier Christmas for elderly residents spending it on their own.

To volunteer or donate a present to make someone else’s Christmas special, please fill in the volunteer sign up form (Google Forms).

Want to read more news stories like this? Subscribe to our weekly e-news bulletin.

 

TECH4KIDs: Take your unwanted laptop to Fulham pub to help a local pupil

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A Fulham pub is helping the council’s effort to provide recycled laptops to children who need them.

Used, quality devices can be left at The Rylston pub, and the Ready Tech Go team will give them a Tech4Kids makeover as part of a drive supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to boost access to computers.

The pub in Lillie Road, overlooking Normand Park, has been acting as a collection point after manager Jonathan Woollard met Nikos Souslous and Kanwar Singh – both from the BAME-led social enterprise Ready Tech Go – through working with The Smile Brigade, which organised weekly free meals with live music at the nearby Clem Attlee community hall.

“So many people fall through the gaps,” said Jonathan, who passes on donated laptops and tablets to the appeal which is aiming to provide 1,500 local children from disadvantaged families with devices to catch up on their schoolwork.

“It’s great that we have the ability to get them to people who need them. Donating devices that people would otherwise throw away is so simple! The Tech4Kids appeal is doing a great job at getting tech to the people who need it.”

Tech4Kids is run by H&F Council with local charity UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham and Ready Tech Go. The campaign still needs support, and you can donate by clicking the button below.

Donate now

Savraj Kaur, executive director at UNITED, who also co-founded Ready Tech Go, said: “This appeal comes at a critical time for local young people who risk being left behind without access to digital skills and resources.

“We believe tech is a right, not a privilege, and appreciate any contribution of cash or used devices to help us reach our goal and change more young lives for the better.”

You can drop off spare devices – laptops or tablet PCs in any state, complete with charger. Just attach your name, email and ‘Tech4Kids’ with them, and drop off at The Rylston pub, 197 Lillie Road SW6.

If you’re a company with more than five devices to donate, email [email protected] to arrange collection.

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TECH4KIDS: 10-year-old Fulham girl runs to beat digital poverty

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Lottie, aged 10 (pictured) has raised more than £1,100 to donate to our Tech4Kids appeal



 


A Fulham schoolgirl has helped children without a digital device or data by raising more than £1,100 for our Tech4Kids appeal.

Lottie, aged 10, decided to raise the money after she learned of our Tech4Kids appeal when her school started collecting unused devices for disadvantaged children and young people.

During lockdown, she had her own laptop and realised how unfair it was that many children lacked the tech resources she had. She felt so passionately about this issue that she decided to do a 10-kilometre run with a time limit of 90 minutes.

“I wanted to challenge myself and raise money and I thought 10km was impressive,” Lottie said. Her family thought so too.

Donate today

Changing lives

And thanks to Lottie, at least seven children’s lives will be transformed with a new laptop for online learning.

“That makes me feel proud of my achievement and honoured to help local children not as fortunate as me,” she said.

Although she’d done short runs before, Lottie knew 10km would really push her to her limits. Unfortunately, a foot injury meant training was suspended while she healed. Getting back into training and reaching the fitness level required in a shorter time was hard work, but she persevered.

During the run, which took place last weekend (12 September) Lottie said she felt exhausted at the 3km mark, and unsure she could triple that distance. But she kept going, feeling more positive, and when she reached the final 10 metres, she thought: ‘I’ve done it!’. Lottie celebrated completing her challenge with a slice of banana bread her mum and sister baked during her run.

Digital champion

At school, Lottie loves all aspects of ICT (information and communications technology) and is happy her fundraising effort means more local kids can discover ICT for themselves.

So far, Lottie has raised a whopping £1,128.75 to donate to our Tech4Kids appeal.

The Tech4Kids Appeal is a campaign by Hammersmith & Fulham Council in partnership with local headteachers, the charity UNITED in H&F and social enterprise Ready Tech Go to make sure no youngster misses out on the chance to learn.

The appeal still needs more support from residents and companies. With £159 a young person receives a new laptop.

You can learn more or make a donation on the UNITED in H&F website.

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TECH4KIDS: New laptops help Wendell Park pupils beat the digital divide

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Image 1One of the five children given laptops at Wendell Park Primary in Shepherds Bush

Young students at Wendell Park Primary in Shepherds Bush can now access online learning thanks to laptops donated via our Tech4Kids appeal.

The Tech4Kids appeal aims to bridge the digital divide, so no child misses out. “We didn’t realise how many kids didn’t have access to the internet until the pandemic,” said deputy headteacher Rosemarie Peters. “Not having that access is so limiting.”

Five children were given laptops, and all agreed that it would make homework easier and open new worlds. Four chose maths as their favourite subject and are fans of the Times Tables Rock Stars app that builds skills in multiplication.

It now means homework can be submitted directly, rather than manually. “School is better with a laptop,” said Year 3 student Hidayah. “For homework, it’s really amazing.”

Dior, in Year 4, said: “It’s pretty cool for maths games,” while Year 5’s Aissatou said: “I feel happy to have a laptop because I had to use my mum’s phone screen, which was tiny.”

Erza, in Year 5, said life had been transformed as there was now no fighting over the single laptop at home, while Fifi, in Year 4, said: “It’s meant I have my own space, and can do my own work.”

The Tech4Kids appeal aims to eventually provide 1,500 laptops to children in need across Hammersmith & Fulham.

Savraj Kaur, Executive Director of United in H&F, who is collecting the funds, urged more businesses and residents to get involved and donate. “Local companies Agylisis and Immediate Media were the first to fund this campaign, and residents have come forward too,” she said.

Donate here

At the start of the pandemic, Wendell Park primary conducted a survey to see who could get online on a laptop or desktop computer – and who couldn’t.

“We were shocked by how many children didn’t have a laptop, and were trying to do homework on a phone,” said Ms Peters.

The Tech4Kids Appeal is a campaign by H&F Council in partnership with headteachers, the charity UNITED in H&F and social enterprise Ready Tech Go. Every £159 raised means that another young person receives a new laptop.

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TECH4KIDS APPEAL: How laptop recycling can beat the digital divide for young people

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Image 1Cllr PJ Murphy, Mayor of H&F, at Ready Tech Go’s workshop

 

The Mayor was guest of honour when he met volunteers at a project which ensures no child in Hammersmith & Fulham is denied access to online learning.

Donate today

Cllr PJ Murphy – who is supporting the Tech4Kids appeal – visited the west London workshop which recycles laptops for children and young people and was introduced to helper Mandeep Sahota.

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Workshop helper Mandeep Sahota

Mandeep began volunteering as he, too, had been a child with very limited access to the internet. His father died when he was nine, and it was only through second-hand hand-me-down laptops and help from neighbours that he was able to get online and do schoolwork.

Today he works as a cloud engineer, having studied computer science at the University of Westminster. “We’re so reliant on the internet today,” he told the Mayor. “I can only imagine the frustration pupils without devices must have felt during the pandemic, when libraries were closed.”

Mandeep told the Mayor that he got enormous satisfaction from refurbishing laptops or tablets, knowing the difference they make. “It’s a really good feeling to see people getting benefits from recycled devices,” he said.

At the weekend’s workshop, nearly 100 devices were checked and prepared for young people by the Tech4Kids volunteers. Cllr Murphy also met Savraj Kaur, executive director of UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham, who also co-founded Ready Tech Go, and others in her team.

The Mayor said: “To see a group of people willingly give up a precious Saturday for the benefit of others is amazing. What really struck me is the team’s complete selflessness. They will never directly see the joy on kids’ faces, the pride they will have and how their lives will be enriched, but I hope they all take great comfort from the fact that they are changing people’s lives.”

The team was refurbishing some of the 240 devices that have so far been donated by local residents, customer data science company Dunnhumby and life sciences platform Medidata.

The appeal still needs more support from residents and companies, with £159 providing a brand-new laptop to a young person.

The Tech4Kids project is a drive by H&F Council in partnership with local headteachers, the charity UNITED in H&F and social enterprise Ready Tech Go to make sure no youngster misses out on the chance to learn.

You can learn more or make a donation on the UNITED in H&F website.

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H&F Mayor backs Tech4Kids appeal to close digital divide

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The Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr PJ Murphy, has named the community-led Tech4Kids appeal as one of his official charities to support this year.

Local charity UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham is raising funds for Tech4Kids, which runs in partnership with local tech social enterprise Ready Tech Go and H&F Council.

All the money raised will ensure that local children and young people in need get vital devices and data they require to catch up with their schoolwork.

“The Covid crisis has really brought to the fore the importance of technology for some of our more disadvantaged people in the community,” Cllr Murphy said.

“If pupils don’t have the devices from the start, they’ll lose out. So, it’s really important that everybody has access to technology… It would be fantastic if you could get involved and support us.”

VIDEO: Cllr PJ Murphy introduces the Tech4Kids appeal

Embedded thumbnailClick to play video: Cllr PJ Murphy backs Tech4Kids appeal to close digital divide

Tech4Kids aims to get 1,500 local children and young people laptops and internet connection. Many are living in poverty and have been identified through local head teachers as being most at risk of missing out on learning opportunities due to their life circumstances.

Donate now

Alternatively, if you have unused quality devices (laptop/tablet PC) see the UNITED in H&F website for how to give.

More about Tech4Kids

The charity, which is a member of the London’s Giving movement, played a vital role in supporting local people during the pandemic, including through crowdfunding to support 200 groups and 2,000 families through rapid Covid grants.

100% of money raised will ensure we get vital devices and internet connectivity to these young people who are most in need.

Savraj Kaur, Executive Director at UNITED in H&F, said: “This support comes at a critical time for local young people who simply don’t have the chance to gain digital skills and resources they need.

“Cllr Murphy’s profile and reach, as well as his passion for the cause, will add to our drive to reach an ambitious target of £159,000.

“We are honoured to be selected and look forward to helping change so many young lives for the better.”

Donate now

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Announcing the Chair of the United in H&F Board

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Joanna Kennedy has been announced as Chair of the growing place-based giving scheme in H&F

UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham Board have announced that Joanna Kennedy has been appointed to succeed Kevin McGrath as the Chair of the Trustee Board . She will lead the young charity through its next stage of development, with the aim of taking it to a mature and sustainable status which will help it make a noticeable impact on the Borough. Her tenure began on 11 August.

Announcing her appointment, Joanna said:

“I am very excited to be joining this Board at a crucial stage in the development of the charity. Place based giving schemes are an energising and cooperative development in the life of a borough and United in Hammersmith & Fulham has already made a big improvement in the lives of residents and I hope I can help it develop that work.”

Executive Director, Savraj Kaur, said:

“I am delighted to be working with Joanna, with her wealth of relevant experience and passion for the local area. I am sure that she will prove to be a strong leader at this very important time for us all.

The board thank trustee Julian Hillman who was Acting Chair since the charity’s first ever Chair Kevin McGrath DL OBE, stepped down in December 2021, and Deborah Xavier of member organisation London Funders who assisted in the hiring process.

You can read more about Joanna, at her profile link here.

 

Tech4Kids appeal – can you help us to reach our target?

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[ First published by LBHF Council on 27 May 2021]

More than 1,500 local children and young people are still at risk of missing out on their schoolwork due to a lack of a device or required data.

That’s why Hammersmith & Fulham Council continues to ask for support for our Tech4Kids partnership appeal – in conjunction with local charity UNITED in H&F and local enterprise Ready Tech Go.

So far, local people, schools and businesses have given £22,000 towards a £159,000 target.

We call on you to give whatever you can, today:

  • £159 can provide a vital laptop with child safeguarding software
  • £20 can get an essential data sim card for internet access

Donate now

“If pupils don’t have the devices from the start, they’ll lose out. So, it’s really important that everybody has access to technology,” said Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr PJ Murphy.

Rest assured that 100% of money raised will ensure we get vital devices and internet connectivity to these young people who are most in need.

Alex, a pupil at Hammersmith Academy secondary school, said: “It’s not fair that children don’t have a laptop at home, they need it for their homework and to get good jobs in the future.”

Watch our campaign video

 

View the video transcript for our Tech4Kids appeal.

 

Are you a company or a foundation?

If you run or work for a local company or foundation, we encourage you to step forward if you can and help local children who are most in need. £10,000 can help to give the equivalent of two classrooms full of in-need children vital devices.

“Locally-based companies Agylisis and Immediate Media have been the first to fund this campaign with cash gifts. It’s really a case of better neighbours making better neighbourhoods,” said Savraj Kaur, Executive Director at UNITED, and co-founder of Ready Tech Go.

Please email Savraj at [email protected] to discuss a larger donation.