Catch up on our Christmas Day 2024 celebration!
Christmas isn't easy for everyone, but thanks to our staff and volunteers we were able to make sure almost 100 of our children and young people had a day they wouldn't forget...
Every year Birmingham Children's Trust hosts a Christmas Day meal, including entertainment, gifts and (of course) Santa Claus, for our care experienced young people and their children.
As always, 2024's festivities were a resounding success; all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team of internal and external volunteers behind it.
Jake Shaw, our Head of Service for Rights & Participation and Corporate Parenting, said:
Alongside our charity Bfriends, Birmingham Children's Trust colleagues helped put on an amazing Christmas Day for our children in care and care experienced young people.
In total, we had around 90 people in attendance, excluding volunteers. This means 58 care experienced young people, 21 of their own children and 11 of their guests came to enjoy the day with us at The Lighthouse.
Young people had their own personalised Christmas sacks filled with presents, 2 Much Passion provided the food and - having listened to feedback from our young people - we ensured that there was both a traditional Christmas dinner along with rice and peas, mutton and fried chicken. We even surprised guests with a DJ, Rena Sparks, who volunteered her time for free on Christmas Day.
There was also a sweet table, a chocolate fountain and a grazing table with lots more snacks and drinks. All the young people had an amazing time.
Finally, a big thanks to our charity Bfriends, our partners, our Corporate Parenting team, the Rights and Participation service, our Care Leavers service, Cllr Mick Brown, and all the other volunteers who helped before the event and on the day itself. You made this a real success! Thank you!"
You can take a look at some of the hard work behind the scenes below.
And here's some of the feedback from our young people on the day:
“Food was nice, beautiful, banging!”
“You lot pulled out all the stops this year! It’s perfect, I’m loving it.”
“A lot of food options, a great selection.”
“It’s nicer here, more spacious. I prefer it to be at The Lighthouse than the school, and the food is nice.”
“This one is much better than before: the food, the atmosphere, everything. The people and staff were always asking if we were okay."
“I like it when the Trust does it, we get more from our corporate parents.”
“This is my first one, I’m excited for my gifts. The DJ is great, everyone is getting live.”
Well done everyone, and see you again next year!