Hexham Community Centre hosts Christmas Day dinner

Hexham Community Centre on Gilesgate hosted Christmas Day for the 28th consecutive year.

Centre manager Jill Goodfellow said: "Christmas Day is a really special event for us. Bringing together older people and those living in isolation, with other members of the community who might be struggling with the cost of living. We go out of our way to provide a delicious dinner, with gifts and a festive atmosphere to make what can otherwise be a very difficult day one of the brightest of the year."

Members of Hexham Amateur Stage Society performing carols as guests arrive (Image: Hexham Community Centre) The afternoon began with a carol performance from Hexham Amateur Stage Society as diners arrived. Guests were treated to a two-course Christmas Dinner with food purchased thanks to generous donations from Egger UK and Waitrose Hexham. During the meal, diners and volunteers who would otherwise have spent the day alone had lively conversations, played games, and pulled crackers together.

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Some of the volunteers helping out at the Centre on Christmas Day (Image: Hexham Community Centre) After dinner, each guest received a stocking stuffed with items donated by members of the public following an appeal by the Community Centre. They also received a gift with Christmas cards created by children from Allendale Primary School. These special gifts were provided by Home Instead Tyne Valley.

Christmas Day diners (Image: Hexham Community Centre) One diner said: "Thank you so much, my first Christmas in Hexham wasn't a lonely one thanks to you all." Another thanked staff and volunteers for 'turning a difficult day into a great one!'

Jill said: "The Community Centre is well placed to meet the challenges of the rising cost of living and social isolation thanks to the support of our amazing funders and the hard work of all our staff, volunteers and trustees. Christmas Day is the perfect chance to bring everyone together and say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us out and come to us throughout the year."

The Christmas Day meal is part of the Community Centre's Warm Welcome Programme, which sees the Centre increase activity during the winter months to provide a warm place with warm food for everyone.

With sessions for families after school and during the holidays, lunch clubs on Wednesday and Sunday, and social groups on Tuesdays and Fridays there is lots of activity during the winter months to help Hexham residents meet the challenges of rising prices and reduce social isolation.

Find out more about the Centre by visiting its website www.hexhamcommunitycentre.org.