Gateway Christmas celebrations bring people together

Food was cooked by Joan, one of our Board members and Chair of the Customer Assurance Committee, alongside customers who have been part of her monthly cooking classes at Gateway.

Our customers were involved every step of the way. They helped choose the menu and cooked together on the day, sharing skills and building confidence.

Our Housing Support Manager at Gateway, Gail Cooper, said: “From the moment you walked in, the room smelled incredible. The scent of jerk chicken filled the space, Christmas music was playing, and the room was decorated with a Christmas tree, candy cane garlands and festive decorations. It instantly felt warm, welcoming and Christmassy.

“The jerk chicken and spiced wedges were requested by residents and chosen because the ingredients are affordable and easy to recreate, helping people take those skills with them when they move on from Gateway.

“We were also joined by our partner Wates, who surprised residents by donating the meat for the meal and bringing boxes and boxes of Christmas presents for everyone.

“The gifts were completely unexpected, and residents were visibly touched. There were lots of thank yous and big smiles as presents were handed out.

Joan said it was “lovely to see how involved everyone was with the cooking” and shared how amazed she was by how far residents who attend the classes have come.

As the afternoon went on, the room filled with laughter and conversation. One customer grabbed the karaoke microphone and sang to the rest of the room, which had people singing along and added a really lovely touch to the day.

Our customer, John Ryan, said: “I loved the food today, and we were given great presents including a bath bomb. We were given a £10 gift card along with sweets and vouchers. It really has been a great event. It’s been so lovely with lots of friendly people.”

Another customer, Jamie Braithwaite, reflected on why days like this matter so much at this time of year: “There can be lots of loneliness at Christmas. Some people don’t have family nearby, so events like this build that sense of community and lift spirits. I didn’t expect any presents today, that was a lovely touch.”

A huge thank you to Wates for their generosity, and to Joan for continuing to share her time, skills and passion with Gateway customers!