Held on the De Gray Rooms, and attended by the Lord Mayor of York and Civic Get together, the Shimmer and Shine Membership celebration introduced collectively over 80 older and youthful folks from throughout the town for a day of festive enjoyable. 

Visitors loved music from The Belfrey Choir and Nestle’s Joe Cheney, barn dancing led by Strictly Enjoyable Dancing’s Phil Quin and festive crafts with Dandelion Arts. The College of York’s Campus Kitchen kindly supplied a buffet for attendees to get pleasure from.

The occasion aimed to deal with loneliness and isolation in York, the place a 2020 nationwide survey revealed that 25.7% of York residents really feel lonely at the very least a number of the time. By fostering shared experiences and connections, the Shimmer and Shine Membership inspired a way of belonging and group. 

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Worker volunteers from Benenden Well being, Nestle and Portakabin all gave their time, with Aviva, Blakemore Basis, Greggs, Millers Meals Service, Tony’s Chocoloney, Nestle, and the College of York’s Campus Kitchen contributing meals, drinks, and candy treats.

Georgia Gibbons, Interim Operations Supervisor at York Cares stated: “We’ve been really impressed by the generosity of our members and native companies, who’ve gone above and past to make a significant distinction this Christmas.

“Our Shimmer and Shine Festive Social Membership introduced collectively folks from throughout the town at a time when emotions of loneliness and isolation might be heightened. This festivity was made potential by the willingness of our employee-volunteers, and the goodwill of companies who donated meals, drinks and candy treats.”

Jessie Hendry Gooding, Social Transformation Supervisor on the Belfrey, stated: “The Belfrey was delighted to host the York Cares annual Shimmer and Shine celebration as soon as once more, in our stunning momentary venue on the De Gray Rooms in York.

“This festive celebration was an exquisite instance of the group coming collectively to unfold pleasure and fight social isolation throughout the Christmas season. “

The York Cares Christmas Assortment attracted 2,400 donations from native corporations and included meals and hygiene merchandise, plus youngsters’s items.

Companies who donated items included Aviva, Benenden Well being, Metropolis of York Council, ETAS, Fera Science Ltd, Little Inexperienced Rascals Minster Yard, Nestle, Novotel Centre York, Portakabin, The Insurance coverage Emporium, College of York and York St John College.

The items  have been distributed to 13 native charities, together with IDAS, Door84, The Peasholme Centre, Refugee Motion York and Spirit of Christmas.

Established in 2005 and set to have fun its twentieth anniversary in 2025, York Cares is an employee-volunteering charity bringing companies, workers, and communities collectively to make the town of York a greater place to stay and work. 

For extra data on the work York Cares carries out, or to volunteer go to www.yorkcares.co.uk