The festive season is in full swing at Moorside Place in Kidlington, Oxford, as Sian Smith, Youth Leader of the Kidlington St John Ambulance Badgers, visited to deliver gifts and decorations on behalf of her group of young volunteers.

The Badgers, a group of seven children aged 5-10, worked hard to create a variety of festive items, including colourful paper chain decorations, intricately designed snowflakes, personalised Christmas cards, and gift boxes filled with chocolates. These thoughtful creations were handed over by Sian to spread seasonal cheer and brighten the tenants' Christmas celebrations.

The visit formed part of the children’s work towards their Community Badge, which encourages them to give back to their local area. When the group discovered a shared connection with Moorside Place through the Order of St John - a global organisation of humanitarian charities - they felt the scheme was the perfect fit for their community project.

"When we learned about the connection with OSJCT Moorside Place, we immediately knew it was the right place for our efforts," said Sian Smith, Youth Leader of the Kidlington Badgers. "The children were so excited to give something back this Christmas, and although they couldn’t deliver their gifts in person, they poured their creativity and care into every item. I was honoured to deliver the gifts on their behalf, and we’re all looking forward to collaborating with Moorside Place in the future."

Natalie Leigh, Domiciliary Care Manager at Moorside Place, expressed her appreciation for the initiative: "The Badgers' thoughtful gifts brought so much joy to our tenants. Their creativity and effort are truly heartwarming, and we’re delighted to have this shared connection with them. We’re excited about working on more projects together in the future."

The decorations will be displayed in the reception area at Moorside Place, creating a festive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. The Christmas cards and gift boxes will be distributed to residents during the Moorside Christmas Party on Saturday 21 December.

Moorside Place is committed to fostering a vibrant and welcoming community where tenants feel connected and valued. Collaborations such as this project with the Kidlington St John Ambulance Badgers highlight the importance of intergenerational relationships and shared experiences in creating a joyful and inclusive environment.