JOY, CONNECTION and support was delivered to older and vulnerable residents across the borough this Christmas, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of local people, schools, businesses, and volunteers.
Age UK Solihull’s staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to make the festive period brighter for those who may otherwise have spent it alone or in financial hardship.
Members of the charity’s social clubs enjoyed festive lunches, entertainment, activities, and gifts.
Gentle exercise class participants also celebrated together, each receiving a tub of chocolates kindly bought and wrapped by National Gas Metering.
Over 500 gifts were donated in total by organisations and individuals across Solihull, including Paragon Banking, Morgan Parkes Recruitment, Birmingham International Train Station, National Gas Metering, Dunelm Solihull, St Alphege Rotary, Shirley Heath Junior School, Meriden Church of England School, Alderbrook School, Blossomfield Grange Care Home, Prologis UK, residents of Lady Byron Lane, and many generous residents.
Teams of volunteers — including groups from Paragon Banking, Prologis UK, and Marsh Insurance — sorted and wrapped the gifts ready for distribution.
The gifts make a huge difference to vulnerable Solihull residents. Many of the gift bags made up by Paragon Banking included gift vouchers, offering vital help to those struggling financially.
One grateful recipient said: “I cannot begin to tell you how emotional I was when I received the gift card – the warmth I felt was something else. I still cannot find the words that express my gratitude, so I’ll just say thank you for your compassion, patience and knowledge in supporting me, and a thank you to Paragon for their generosity.”
The charity’s befriending team delivered frozen meals and gifts to older residents who would be alone over Christmas.
The meals were provided at a discounted rate by Eric Lyons butchers, and the gifts were donated by customers of Dunelm Solihull as part of their Delivering Joy campaign.
Age UK Solihull staff and volunteers stopped for a chat while delivering the gifts, which may have been the only social interaction some of the clients had during the festive period.
The frozen meals, parties, and some of the charity’s other festive activities were supported by generous funding from We Are All Making A Difference, IMI plc, and Blue Orchid.
Age UK Solihull clients were also invited to three special festive events hosted by community partners.
Dunelm hosted a Delivering Joy event in Birmingham, featuring bingo, crafts, and gifts.
National Gas Metering invited 28 older people for Christmas lunch at the Crowne Plaza, complete with bingo, carols, and mince pies.
And St Peter’s Catholic School held a Christmas dinner, where students served a two‑course meal, performed musical pieces and Irish dancing, and gifted each guest a stocking of treats.
A series of festive fundraising activities helped raise essential funds to keep the charity’s services running including festive collection days with performances from choirs and bands at Notcutts Garden Centre, Birmingham International Train Station, Touchwood and Solihull High Street raised over £800 and two evenings with Shirley Lions and their Santa sleigh brought festive cheer and donations across Shirley.
The charity’s Christmas Raffle raised over £1,500, a record-breaking total, supported by generous prize donations from local businesses including The Regency Hotel, Green’s Cocktail Lounge, Solihull Summer Fest, Chiltern Railways, and Adlington Farm.
Age UK Solihull also hosted a festive get‑together for its volunteers, thanking them for their dedication with cakes, hot drinks, and a raffle.
Rebecca Jacob, fundraising manager at Age UK Solihull, said, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us this Christmas — from businesses and schools to volunteers and individuals.
“Your kindness has made a real difference to older people in Solihull at a time when loneliness and hardship can feel especially overwhelming. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to bring comfort, joy and connection to hundreds of residents.”
