A friendship filled Christmas season!
A festive recap
As the Christmas season drew near, The Link Visiting Scheme was embraced by a wave of support and generosity from numerous organisations and individuals. We are immensely grateful for the heartwarming contributions that made our festive initiatives a resounding success. Together, we raised £21,221!
Our programme of events
Link to Nature
Christmas at The Link Visiting Scheme kicked off with our Link to Nature group making Christmas table decorations, with a beautiful amaryllis as the centrepiece. We had fun with 31 Link Friends, who were assisted by 6 volunteers and some members of Wokingham Horticultural Society, who have supported our Link to Nature Project since it began in 2021.
“Thank you for inviting me to make a table decoration, I have really enjoyed the afternoon. It’s lovely to get out at the weekend for a change”
“It was great to meet and talk and to make something I couldn’t do alone”
Christmas Party
Our Christmas Party was a cracker! An amazing 91 Link Friends came along and were welcomed with mulled wine and a delicious afternoon tea. With the help of 21 volunteers, we served, laughed and sang along with our Link Friends to live music. We finished off with a fantastic raffle and everyone went home with their own 2024 Link Diary.
“I’ve just had a lovely chat with my Link Friend who wanted to thank us for a lovely party, she said it was “so well done” and loved the bone china sets and white tablecloths, it all felt “very posh”!”
Christmas cards
Children from Shinfield St Marys CofE Junior School took part in a Christmas Card Competition and the winners were rewarded with prizes and their cards were printed and used for our Link Christmas Card. We were delighted with the results and extend a special thank you to David Wilson Homes and Wokingham Borough Council, who sponsored the competition.
Pie and Pint Club
Our Pie and Pint Club is one of our most popular groups throughout the year and those held over the Christmas period were very well attended. We held four events at the pubs we rotate around each week, and even celebrated a 100th birthday at one of them!! An amazing 69 Link Friends joined us across the four locations.
Kindness Tree Campaign
This year we launched our Kindness Tree Campaign, partnering with local businesses to bring additional joy to our Link Friends. This initiative invites the local community to donate or choose to buy a gift.
It’s the first time we’ve done this, but it certainly won’t be the last! Such a wonderful initiative to promote the Link and engage with local partners in our community.
Special thanks to the local businesses who had a Kindness Tree: David Cliff Estate Agents, Fiona Parry Boutique, Maya’s Refillables, Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, Phil’s Good Food, Stitchery Do, Wokingham Town Council
Group activities
Earlier this year we introduced a quiz group, which has been a popular occasion to get together and test our knowledge. Our Christmas Quiz attracted 15 Link Friends and 4 volunteers.
Another very popular group is our Singalong, and an amazing 22 Link Friends came along to sing out loud and joyously with our group leader – Soph, who they all love.
Our Craft and Coffee Club is another new group introduced in 2023 and allows our Link Friends to express their creative side, by making beaded necklaces, painting trinket boxes, etc. Our Christmas event was enjoyed by 14 Link Friends who made Christmas crackers, guided by the lovely Andrea Jones from Purple Robin and some of our volunteers.
Community Kitchen
Our Community Kitchen welcomed 42 Link Friends and 22 volunteers as they came together to enjoy afternoon tea, a raffle and Christmas Carol singing, courtesy of one of our kitchen assistant volunteers, who played the keyboard. This event was kindly sponsored by The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh.
Christmas Special at Link Thursdays
In September this year, we were delighted to launch Link Thursdays, at All Saints Church in Wokingham. This is a “Space for All”, to come together, enjoy the company of others, have reflection in a safe space and share with all of our Link Friends, volunteers and the local community.
On 21st December we welcomed a ‘full house’ who joined in with Christmas singing (led by our Singalong leader, Soph); took a little time to reflect and remember those no longer with us and those far away; shared some lovely refreshments and simply came together in warm, friendly company. Our thanks to The Reverend Becky Medlicott for welcoming us all and the delicious mulled wine supplied by Ludgrove School.
Christmas Day
A lot of hard work and coordination was worth every second. In total 156 meals were prepared. 62 meals were delivered and over 50 Link Friends came for a sit-down Christmas Day lunch. We also fed those volunteers who wanted to join us on the day. They delivered meals, provided transport, prepared food, laid the tables and did the dishes, welcomed, served and spent time with our Link Friends.
We had the music playing, incredible food thanks to the generosity of our friends at Wellington College, lovely singing, Christmas presents for everyone, crackers and one lucky Link Friend went home with a bumper hamper full of goodies.
In addition to all the hard work and dedication from the Link Team and our volunteers, all of our Link Friends received a Christmas Card, year-end newsletter and 2024 Link Diary.
Our heartfelt appreciation extends to our dedicated volunteers whose selfless commitment ensured the smooth running of our events. Your willingness to transport our Link Friends and offer invaluable companionship embodies the spirit of our cause.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following organisations whose unwavering support made our initiatives possible:
Newbury Building Society
No Strings Attached Ukelele Group
Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing Gym
Phil’s Good Food
PKB Accountants
Purple Robin – Andrea Jones
Sing for Yourself - Soph
Stitchery Do
The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh
The Tamarind Tree
United Airlines
Wellington College
Wokingham Borough Council
Wokingham Town Council
1-Fix
52 Lives
All Saints Church
Ascot Racecourse
AspenTech
Barkham Ladies Social Club
Bearwood Golf Club
Carbonxgen
David Brownlow Charitable Foundation
David Cliff Estate Agents
David Wilson Homes
Easthampstead Rotary Club
Finchampsted Baptist Church
Fiona Parry Boutique
Haines Hill CT
KJS Solicitors
Ludgrove School
Maya’s Refillables
Morris Beneficent Fund
Your generosity has been the cornerstone of our success this festive season. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being an integral part of our journey. Your generosity continues to be a driving force behind our commitment to creating a more connected and caring community.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to our exceptional staff team whose tireless dedication and hard work laid the foundation for our festivities to flourish.
And to every supporter who donated, participated in our fundraisers, shared our message to raise awareness, or contributed gifts—your collective kindness helped make this Christmas a special one. Together, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many, spreading warmth and compassion.
What people tell us……..
“Thank you for sending Sally to me, she is so kind and interesting, I do enjoy her visits - thank you”.
"It's been a lifeline over the past 3 years"
"It's a fantastic organisation and I loved the Christmas dinner you delivered"
"Thank you to Link because I enjoy it all and without Link I'd be sad and lonely"
"Marjie and Jayne (and all the others) at Link do a fantastic job, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They are a big part of my life and I do appreciate it all"
"Everything that has been organised for me has been very good. Especially the Christmas dinner"
“The Christmas party and dementia workshops were absolutely excellent. Alan's daughter has been really impressed and appreciates all the Link help that has been given. Beth,has been hugely supportive”.
“I have so much admiration for the Wokingham Link, and think you do a magnificent job, and am always impressed with what you achieve and how many volunteers you have managed to recruit”.