Care homes in the Central region came together this Christmas to bake and donate cakes and sweet treats in support of the Oxford Christmas Lunch, a long-standing community initiative held annually on Christmas Day.

The Oxford Christmas Lunch, supported by the Oxford Food Hub, takes place at The King’s Centre and provides a traditional Christmas meal for people who may otherwise be on their own. The event is run entirely by volunteers and has grown over the past decade to welcome around 500 guests each year. It is organised by Sara Strong, who has been leading the initiative for 10 years.

Cakes, biscuits and other festive treats, many of which were handmade within the homes with the support and involvement of residents were delivered especially for the guests at the Oxford Christmas Lunch. The baking initiative reflected a shared desire among colleagues and residents to give back to the local community and help ensure every guest enjoyed a sweet treat on Christmas Day.

Kelly-Marie Allen, Home Manager of Isis House, Ivana Pavolva, Area Operations Manager, and Helen Dearing, Regional Marketing Manager, donned festive outfits and travelled by minibus to four OSJCT homes across the county to collect the baked goods. Additional homes delivered their contributions to one of the four designated collection points.

Helen Dearing had previously volunteered at the Oxford Christmas Lunch and was inspired by the sense of community and generosity shown by volunteers. That experience, combined with the commitment of OSJCT homes in Oxfordshire to support local causes, made the Oxford Christmas Lunch a natural choice for collaboration.

Sara Strong said:
“The Oxford Christmas Lunch is about bringing people together and making sure no one feels alone on Christmas Day. The generosity from OSJCT homes has been wonderful, and the homemade cakes and treats really help to make the day special for our guests.”

Renata Crisostomo, Divisional Director at OSJCT, said:
“I am incredibly proud of our colleagues and residents for the kindness and compassion they continue to show. Supporting the Oxford Christmas Lunch reflects our values and our commitment to being an active and caring part of the communities we serve.”

The Orders of St John Care Trust continues to support local initiatives that promote connection, kindness and wellbeing, particularly during the festive season.