“I could tell straight away that someone had thought about what to put in my bag. The perfume is my favourite – I’ve worn it every day since.” – YMCA Robin Hood Supported Housing Resident, Mansfield.
This Christmas, our Nottinghamshire community came together in the most heart-warming way through our festive campaign, Pay It Forward This Christmas, helping to create moments of comfort, joy and belonging for young people living in YMCA Supported Housing and Children’s Residential Care.
The campaign invited individuals, families, businesses, schools and community groups to donate thoughtful gifts and support festive activities for young people who may not otherwise have had a Christmas to look forward to. The response was overwhelming, with hundreds of donations coming together to ensure every young person felt remembered, valued and celebrated.
Community kindness in action
We would like to say a huge thank you to Tuxford Young Farmers, who donated 22 beautifully filled shoeboxes, each packed with individual gifts and care. Their generosity brought huge smiles and created meaningful moments for young people waking up to something special on Christmas morning.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Swinefleet Primary School, whose wonderful ‘Christmas Angels’ initiative continues to be a cherished tradition for our residents at EC. Each year, pupils select a local charity or worthy cause, and with support from their families, collect and donate gifts for those in need.
Our team members visited the school to collect the donations and speak to the pupils about where their gifts were going and the difference they would make. It is a special moment each year, and a beautiful example of young people learning the power of kindness and community.
Community partners making a lasting difference
“At FHP and FHP Living we realise that we are privileged, but we also realise that that privilege comes with responsibility… When Jo Bradley mentioned that the YMCA Robin Hood Group aimed to provide a Christmas Dinner and gift for everyone, it felt like the perfect opportunity for FHP to step up to the plate and make a festive gift that would make an impact. Giving gives us all a real sense of joy, particularly at Christmas which can be a very difficult and lonely time for many.”
Their donation also supported the creation of an improved communal space for young people, helping to provide a warm, homely environment where residents can cook, connect and build independence.
We would also like to thank Lovell Renew North, who donated a brand-new kitchen to our Shakespeare Street Supported Housing accommodation.
When speaking on the donation, Lovell shared: “At Lovell Renew North, sustainability and supporting our communities are important to us. We chose to donate to the YMCA Robin Hood Group because we believe in creating opportunities, not waste. These kitchens will do more than provide a practical space – they’ll help people develop essential life skills, build confidence for employment, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and create a homely environment that inspires growth.”
This amazing new space has made a real difference for young people living with us – with it arriving just in time for Christmas, when having a warm, homely place to cook, connect and build independence matters more than ever.
We would also like to thank Servoca Nursing & Care for their generous Christmas gift donation to our Ashfield Supported Accommodation, helping to bring festive cheer to residents.
When asked about the donation, Servoca’s Regional Manager, Jordan Burdett shared:
“Since starting our partnership earlier this year, it’s been a privilege to work alongside the YMCA Robin Hood Group team. We’re proud to give back wherever we can and are delighted to be able to help make the festive season brighter for the young people you support. We look forward to continuing to support your important work in the year ahead.”
A huge thank you also goes to the wonderful Nottingham Building Society Clumber Street team, led by Samantha Hall, and their amazing customers, who donated a selection of thoughtful gifts to our residents this Christmas.
We are also extremely grateful for a generous anonymous donation of three Nintendo Switch consoles and three Mario Kart games, which brought joy, laughter and shared moments to our Supported Housing residents over the festive period.
Festive moments that made Christmas special
Thanks to the incredible generosity shown through Pay It Forward This Christmas, our Supported Housing teams were able to create a full programme of festive activities across our accommodations.
Residents enjoyed Christmas Eve brunches, festive craft sessions, and a warm Christmas lunch provided by our Malt Cross team. These moments weren’t just about food and decorations – they were about connection, laughter and creating memories in a safe, supportive environment.
One young person told us:
“It was really nice to do things together. It made the building feel like home, and not just somewhere I’m staying.”
Another stated: “Thank you to the YMCA for taking as to see Sleeping Beauty. It’s something I’ve never experienced and has given me happy memories around this time of year.”
These activities were made possible directly because of the donations received through the campaign – and every contribution, big or small, played a part in making Christmas brighter for our young people.
It is rewarding to see the positive impact of community unity on the lives of young people, especially at Christmas. We want to extend our extreme gratitude to everyone who contributed their time, resources, and kindness to make a difference and we look forward to continuing to work together to create lasting change in the lives of those we serve.