Dear all,

Thank you for volunteering to help in our community and for all that you have done throughout 2020 to help those most in need through this incredibly tough year. The local response has been fantastic with countless acts of kindness. I hope that in 2021 we can begin to leave the pandemic behind us and remember that the community response of 2020 has shown the very best of Putney, Roehampton and Southfields.

As we approach the Christmas period many of our local organisations are finding their services called on now more than ever before. If there is anything you can do to help the groups listed below, I know they would greatly appreciate it during this busy period.

Roehampton R.O.C.K.S! Christmas day CookOut 

This year Roehampton R.O.C.K.S! is hosting their 4th Community Christmas day CookOut event.

The legendary Christmas Day dinner is a multi-cultural occasion where everyone is welcomed. For information on attending or volunteering please follow the link: https://forms.gle/nvx1HTWGCfCvtVo56

PLOD Foundation Christmas Box Project 

The PLOD Foundation have launched a Christmas box appeal. They are asking people to put together a wrapped shoe box containing items for a homeless person. The boxes will be handed out as gifts to those in temporary accommodation, as well as those still on the streets. Some suggested items to add to boxes include new socks and underwear, hat, gloves and scarf, face masks, hand warmers, a pack of cards, supermarket or coffee shop gift cards. A full list of ideas, things to avoid and information on how to package your box (with the lid wrapped separately!)  is available here: https://plodfoundation.co.uk/plods-christmas-box/.

Boxes can be dropped off:

Friday 18th December from 9am-3pm at the Community Church – Werter Road, Putney, SW15 2LL

Sunday 20^th December from 1pm-2pm at 35 Felsham Road, SW15 1AY

If you are available to help deliver boxes to recipients, please email plodfoundation@gmail.com.

Wandsworth Foodbank Donations 

The Trussell Trust Foodbanks are delivering emergency food supplies to those in need across Wandsworth. You can donate via the website www.bankuet.co.uk/wandsworth, or, when you shop at Sainsbury’s or Waitrose. Coming up to the busy Christmas period they are particularly in need of the following food items: tinned vegetables, tinned potatoes, tinned custard and tinned fruit. Household items including can openers, 4 packs of toilet roll, laundry tablets, handsoap and can openers are also needed.

Sponsor a Christmas Hamper 

Ackroydon Community Church in West Hill have put the call out for sponsors of community Christmas Dinner Bundles. For more information please contact Liz: iz@stmikes-ststeves.org.uk.

St Margaret’s Church – Meals for Local Homeless 

St Margaret’s Church, Putney Park Lane are working with Glass Door Homeless Shelter to provide meals for the homeless during the winter months. If you can commit some time to help, particularly to drive the food from St Margaret’s to another Church in Balham on a Sunday evening, get in touch: office@stmargaretsputney.org or 020 8789 5932.

Warm Woolly Hats Collection 

Southfields Grid Residents Association have joined forces with the Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth to give every prisoner a warm woolly hat this Christmas. If you have any hats to spares get in touch with Becky Watts from Southfields Grid Alliance on 07734 818540 to arrange a collection.

Socially Distanced Carolling in West Hill 

Look out for St Michael’s and Stephen’s Church Carols on Tour bringing Christmas cheer to a street near you this Friday. Socially distanced participation is encouraged!

Dons Local Action Group Food Collections

The amazing fans of the AFC Wimbledon Foundation – have been working tirelessly throughout 2020 to support our community and provide food to those who need it the most. They have supplied over 35,000 weekly food parcels to households across South West London. The Dons are seeking volunteers to collect donations of food on their stalls outside supermarkets. Shifts are three hours long and all volunteering is entirely flexible – whether you can help a few times a week, once a month, or even just once, any time you can spare would be a huge help! If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information, please email DLAGvolunteer@afcwimbledonfoundation.org.uk

Putney Scrub Hub – Volunteers Needed

The Putney Scrub Hub is making scrubs for NHS workers across South West London and I have spoken about them in Parliament three times. They are based at the Bank of England Sports Ground in Roehampton. If you have some spare time to sort out clothes, a car to deliver and collect materials, or basic sewing skills and a sewing machine, they would love you to join their sewing community. For sewers, they will supply patterns and fabric, they just need your time and skills. If you’re able to help, email  scrubbery.stitch@gmail.com

Need Volunteers? 

If you know of an organisation that needs volunteers please get in touch at fleur.anderson.mp@parliament.uk to feature in the next volunteer update.

Once again thank you for giving your time to support our community and I hope you have a happy and safe Christmas with your loved ones.