Communities at Christmas

Sit down in front of a TV in December, and you’ll see the same story on loop: happy families, cosy homes, and endless feasts. We’re conditioned to believe this is the universal Christmas experience, a time of pure joy and perfect connection. It’s the ‘standard’ holiday we’re sold, year after year. The ‘Christmas cheer’ we see on screen doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality. For many, the holidays are a psychological minefield where the reopening of old traumas replaces celebration. It is a time when absences become visible, whether it is a person who is no longer there, a lack of a warm, stable home, or a lack of connection to the community around you. 

 

This year, we wanted to acknowledge this and build something that could bring a sense of joy to the people we support, without trying to erase how difficult this time of year is. Still, if we create something that offers connection and comfort, it may make the day slightly easier. 

 

Communities at Christmas started as a pipe dream during a meeting about warm spaces for rough sleepers. We realised we wanted to do so much more than just help people survive the winter; we wanted to create a place where they could actually be part of Christmas and feel the kind of joy most of us take for granted. It was a partnership between Simon Community Scotland, the South Side Community Centre, and the Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust. 

 

A key component was Goodies coming on board to provide the food on the day. This was incredibly important, as we wanted to make sure the people who visited us on Christmas Day could access a Christmas dinner with the same love and care you would have if you were a guest at someone’s house. Goodies understood this, and Andrew and the team worked hard on the run-up and up until 11 at night on Christmas Eve, preparing a feast. The energy and enthusiasm that came out of the kitchen set the tone for what else was to come. On the day, 100 people were served a delicious Christmas dinner, and others were able to take some home. 

 

We are incredibly moved by the support that made this Christmas possible. More than just a buzzword, ‘community’ was the heartbeat of the event, as everyone pulled together to ensure no one was left behind.

 

The Social Bite Festival of Kindness ensured we could provide both holiday joy and survival essentials, such as warm clothing, to help keep people safe in the freezing cold. A massive shout-out to Ruaridh and Socks in a Box for their fantastic school collection of socks and toiletries. With the generosity of the Cameron Toll Community Fund, Scotmid, and our individual donors who donated on the JustGiving page, we were able to distribute 180 presents and make this event possible. One person said, “Thanks for these presents, I can’t remember when someone last gave me something that was just for me to enjoy. Thanks as well for giving me bags so I can give them to my daughters, it makes me feel less crap about myself that I can give them something this year”. 

With the help of volunteers, we decorated the Southside community centre and tried to bring the Christmas magic. A huge thank you to Tesco Nicolson Street, who saw us setting up and gave us the Christmas decorations they were going to take down and the Edinburgh bargain store for donating decorations. It really spoke to the sense of a people wanting to bring some Christmas joy. 

When you walked in, you were greeted by staff who were genuinely happy to see you and wished you a merry Christmas. You were given a choice of Christmas dinner sitting time, were told what we had to offer to make the day fun, and were offered the chance to check your bag into the cloak room. 

 

We had a fantastic volunteer barber who worked incredibly hard, providing 30+ haircuts, making people feel pampered. We had a street reads pop-up that welcomed people into the space, offered a selection of books and let them know about future opportunities to be involved while playing a very competitive game of Monopoly. 

 

We had access to showers and toiletries to make sure everyone’s basic needs were met. We had a cinema room that was a quiet space with popcorn served, showing Elf and Die Hard, so if someone wanted some space to get lost in a film, they could. In the main space, pasties were available for breakfast, along with tea and coffee. We had a hot chocolate station with all the trimmings and plenty of snacks available all day. There was an arts-and-crafts station where many people chose to make Christmas presents. One woman said, “I couldn’t afford to get my husband a Christmas present, but I have just made him a bracelet and being able to give him something means everything to me”. Peer volunteers saw the potential and designed a pop-up training where they trained people on using Naloxone and overdose response.

Board games were set up, and tables saw people mixing who would not usually speak, and the energy was that of a community coming together. DJ Sage came, brought a silent disco, set up a space for excitement and fun, and saw people dancing together. One person who came described it as “Everyone in this room and this building is radiating love”. 

 

Ultimately, this day was a powerful response to the isolation that the season can bring. While the media’s version of Christmas remains out of reach for many, we created a reality defined by genuine care and sanctuary. A total of 194 people joined us, supported by over 50 dedicated volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the day was a success. The impact was felt far beyond the meals and gifts; it was seen in the restored sense of dignity and the comfort of a safe space that welcomed people into the community. This was more than just a celebration; it was a lifeline, proving that when we come together, no one has to navigate the coldest months of the year alone.