Christmas is a time of joy, community and family. But for those without a family it is a stark reminder of that fact and often a day that can be lonely, isolating and triggering for many. For young care leavers it can be particularly challenging – without the security of a base or a fixed home. It is estimated that last year alone, over 45.000 young people aged between 17 and 21 were out of local authority care. The independent Review of Early Deaths of Care Leavers, published in August, further highlighted the ‘care cliff’ that many care leavers feel when they turn 18.
To address this issue, particularly around Xmas, charities have been set up to support young people and since 2013 – there have been 155 Xmas Dinners in 35 towns and cities, reaching 7,500 care-experienced young people around the UK. However, there has not been an event in Brighton & Hove for over 7 years. Until now…thanks to two Brighton residents Richard Hubbert and Jamie Crabb – who are now seeking additional support to make this a reality.
As a care experienced adult himself and therefore driven by his own personal journey of growing up in care, Jamie very much felt that his hometown – one often associated as much with homelessness as it is with community – needed to support its young care leavers. Together with Brighton Council, young care leavers, friends and local businesses, Jamie and Richard have begun fundraising and planning this year’s inaugural Brighton and Hove Xmas Dinner – taking place on December 25th, for up to 100 young care experienced young people ages 18-30 within East Sussex. More than just a meal, the organisers very much hope that this day and the campaigning towards it will also foster change, and offer the care, connection and community that every care leaver deserves.
From running marathons, sponsored sea swims and games nights – family and friends have been supporting both Jamie and Richard to raise the necessary funds to make sure the event can go ahead and be as successful as possible. Thanks too to the generosity of local businesses the venue has been donated, along with securing a professional chef. Now, additional donations and support are needed to ensure each care leaver attendee can receive a gift and that the Xmas day feast can be as bounteous as possible.
Jamie and Richard would love to hear from local business owners, shop keepers and Brighton residents who are able to donate either funds or items for their first ever Brighton and Hove Xmas Day event. Many locals, friends and family have already offered their time to help decorate the venue and help on the day itself. Over £2,500 has been raised, through so much goodwill, support and generosity – but a further £2,500 is required in either gift, food donations or funds to ensure all the necessary plans and goods can be secured. As part of this fundraising mission, they have just launched their “50 Fairies” campaign – asking 50 people to raise or donate £50 to make this happen.
As Jamie comments: “As someone who is care-experienced, I didn’t fully anticipate how emotionally affecting it would be to feel so much warmth and kindness from family and friends to help us realise this event. Care leavers deserve not only services or systems, but thoughtfulness, celebration, belonging, joy, community, warmth and most importantly care. We have been blown away by how many people have run events to help us get this far and now we just need this final push to get us to our goal. Over the past months and weeks, we’ve met with local care leaver teams, care leavers, community venues and supporters to think carefully about what this could become both this year and beyond.
From the start, we have been passionate about creating this event with care leavers, so they are centred at the very heart of the event. Alongside them, we’ve explored ideas around accessibility, transport, quiet spaces, food, entertainment, intergenerational connection and support, ensuring the day is inclusive for all. We are so enormously grateful to everyone thus far who has donated, encouraged, shared, run, swam and cheered alongside us – helping us to reach our fundraising goals for December 25th. Now we are hoping by spreading our asks and our wishes that bit louder, further and wider across the city – that our final needs can be met in terms of gifts, funds and food.”
Brighton and Hove’s Xmas dinner is for those in the Sussex area age 18-30 who have left or who are leaving the care system. Any care leaver who wants to attend should either contact Brighton and Hove Care Leavers team or the Xmas Dinner email directly below for the registration form. Hopefully with additional donations and funds from the generosity of the wider Brighton community, they will have a Xmas day to remember for the right reasons and for a long time to come.
For further information on how you or your business could support the inaugural Brighton and Hove Xmas Dinner, please contact Jamie or Richard directly via email – hello@brightonxmasdinner.com
To donate directly please use : Brighton Care Leavers Christmas Dinner – Open Collective and to find out more – brightonxmasdinner.com or via Instagram on @brightonxmasdinner
