Young adults who grew up in care come together for community Christmas party in Burton
By Jill Dando News
The organiser of a Christmas party held for young people who have left the care system is calling on more organisations to hold similar events – because they save lives.
Martin Morgan, who is behind the organisation of the Christmas parties, helped out at the community event in Burton and would like to see more people supporting.
More than 80 teenagers and young people from East Staffordshire and beyond, who have been through the care sector were treated to a day filled with Christmas food and fun activities at Ashfield House Freemason Hall in Burton.
The event is run by volunteers, staff from Swadlincote-based rail firm MTMS and members of the Derbyshire Freemasons to make sure those who have left the care system can enjoy a Christmas treat.
The majority of attendees are too old to be in care and live alone, meaning Christmas can be a particularly lonely time and many are left feeling isolated.
Martin Morgan, who works as warehouse controller at MTMS, said: “We wanted to put these parties on after hearing about reports about a number of children having committed suicide at Christmas.
“The best thing that's come out of the parties is that there have been no suicides at Christmas since we've been running them. And I think that answers it all, that's why we do it.
“We found that young people were spending a lot of time on their own wherever the social services put them, maybe not in the area that they grew up in, so they become very lonely, especially over Christmas time.”
In terms of organising the parties, planning starts as early as the year before. He said: “The organisation for next year has already started and we raise money for the parties through fundraising, so this year pays for next year.
“I would absolutely like to see more organisations getting involved. If something like this could be ran nationwide, then we could save a lot of young lives.”
These words were also echoed by Bernie Brown, the Director for Children and Families at Staffordshire County Council, who visited the community Christmas party for the first time.
She said: “It’s super impressive. So many people have given up their time, both in the preparation and the delivery, there are loads of people in the kitchen, clearing tables and waiting on tables. It's just a huge community collaboration.
“I'm hugely grateful for everybody's efforts. It is critical that more organisations and businesses commit to helping people who don't necessarily have the same opportunities to be supported by their own families as most of us do.
“I would encourage everybody to get involved in events like this. They make such a difference to young people’s lives. Christmas is about love, and not everybody experiences love and family in the same way.
“This is an opportunity for people to see that even strangers care about them, are committed to them, and want to make sure that they have an amazing Christmas.”
Young people arrived with their carers and settled in before tucking into a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Singers interacted with the room, a face paint artist decorated people’s faces and a soft play area was available for children.
Nine years ago, Trandeep Sethi, district leader for children’s services for South Staffordshire at Staffordshire County Council put out a call searching for help to organise a Christmas party for young people who had left the care system in Staffordshire.
Mr Sethi came up with the idea for the party originally after finding young people who had been through care had committed suicide around Christmas.
Care-leaver Amy Smith, 20, rarely gets to see her brother Tom Smith, 22, who lives in Stafford. The siblings were told about the Christmas party through Amy’s personal adviser, someone who works directly to support individuals in care.
Tom said: “We only get to see each other four or five times a year, so it's nice to spend time with each other today.”
Nicole Brooks, a carer who travelled from Newcastle-under-Lyme to attend the party for the first time, said: “We’ve made a bit more of an effort to travel here because its nice to give everyone a special family feeling at Christmas.”
Young people danced the afternoon away and left the Christmas party feeling festive and fulfilled, they each took home a large hamper filled with food and goodies.
Each year, MTMS launches its annual appeal to raise money to fund the festive fun. The aim is to raise money to pay for all the food, musical entertainment and hampers at the two parties.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/makeadifference2024
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