Bilton Hall to support community on Christmas Day with 60 free Christmas dinners and gifts for families affected by the Cost of Living Crisis

Staff and volunteers at a South Tyneside community centre will be working together to provide 60 free meals and gifts on Christmas Day to support residents affected by the cost of living crisis.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bilton Hall CIO, in Taunton Avenue, in Jarrow, will be providing the 60 three-course Christmas dinners for residents and families in the area on the big day, as well as a gift for every individual there.

Staff and volunteers at the centre wanted to offer the option to struggling families and individuals after seeing firsthand how the cost of living crisis is having an impact on the community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The day is open to all ages, families and individuals, with no criteria to meet to be eligible for the meal.

Bilton Hall staff and volunteers who will be supporting the community on Christmas DayBilton Hall staff and volunteers who will be supporting the community on Christmas Day
Bilton Hall staff and volunteers who will be supporting the community on Christmas Day
Read More
Nativity: 9 archive photos of your little stars at Westoe Crown Primary School

Volunteer Stevie Walden, 25, from Jarrow, who works as a Community Development Officer, said: “My family all work in different community jobs, so through the connections we have we managed to get the funding to do these dinners for people on Christmas Day.

"We know how much people are struggling right now so we just wanted to do anything we could to help.

"It's just to help people, whether it be with financial struggles, loneliness or to be somewhere warm, literally whatever.

Bilton Hall, JarrowBilton Hall, Jarrow
Bilton Hall, Jarrow
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Places like Bilton Hall are essential, especially right now. Ever since I got involved volunteering with Bilton I discovered just how much they do for the local community and I think they really are an essential service that deserve a lot of credit.

“In my job I can really see the impact the cost of living crisis is having and it’s worrying how much it’s affecting people. Even people who are working in jobs are struggling right now so there’s no criteria to be involved with this. We’ll have people and families from all backgrounds and it should be a great day.”

Funding for the meals and gifts come from Charities Aid Foundation and Key UK, while the meals will be cooked by Stevie’s husband, chef Max Burton, 31, who owns Fork’n Service.

The Bilton Hall Christmas meal still has spaces remaining and anyone who would like to register interest should contact 0191 4898224.

Related topics: