How our Support Workers help families feel remembered at Christmas
“It’s a day of joy for families and children who feel forgotten.”
Teresa is a Support Worker at our WANDS Family Hub in Worcester.
To help make Christmas magical for hundreds of local children living in poverty, the service goes above and beyond by transforming its space into a festive Santa’s Grotto.
Social media and advertising often portray the ‘perfect family Christmas’, but support workers like Teresa know that this is far from the truth.
“Plates of food on the table, presents around the tree and smiling children all dressed up. This puts immense pressure on families and there’s terrible guilt.”
Teresa sees this first-hand with the families she supports, with many finding it impossible to afford food or presents for their child to open on Christmas morning.
One local business charges £50 for a family of four to visit Santa’s Grotto…that’s an entire week’s food shop for these families.
Teresa, Action for Children support worker at WANDS
In the lead up to Christmas, WANDS transforms its service into a Christmas Grotto, and encourages the community to come together.
Staff dress up in elf or reindeer costumes, festive activities are provided, and the children even get a special visit from Santa himself.
“The whole centre is set up to look as magical as possible, so from the moment they step in, they feel like they’re in a Christmas wonderland."
"Last year we were able to access a snow machine for the outside area which the kids just loved” says Teresa.
Our support workers work tirelessly to create a magical experience by making sure that every child leaves with a present, selection box, cuddly toy, and a family game to play over Christmas.
Help services like WANDS be there for more families
“Without the Grotto, so many children in our community wouldn’t experience Christmas like their friends.” says Theresa.
The Grotto also provides a safe inclusive space, where parents with social anxiety or physical disabilities can feel comfortable knowing the staff will support them.
“Due to physical or mental health issues, some parents aren’t able to leave their home, which means the children are isolated” says Teresa.
We try as best as we can to help those children visit our Grotto, but where it isn’t possible, we visit them at home with presents.
Teresa, Action for Children support worker at WANDS
For Teresa, seeing the look on the children’s faces when they visit the Grotto makes the entire experience worth it for her team.
“Our Santa is extra special because he used to work here as a support worker, so he knows some of the children personally.
“He asks about their siblings and remembers things about them. I overheard one girl saying, ‘He’s definitely the real Santa because he knows all about me.’ It’s so magical for them.”
These are the moments that children will never forget, and you can't put a price on that.
Teresa, Action for Children support worker at WANDS
Right now, 4 million UK children are growing up in poverty.
At Action for Children, we’re a vital lifeline for families with nowhere to turn.
Thanks to supporters like you, we were there for 544,297 children, young people and families last year through 303 services in the UK.
This Christmas, you can help us continue that support by making a donation, purchasing a virtual gift, or sending a charity eCard.
You could change a life
Make a donation