Every year Justlife makes an extra effort at Christmas to celebrate with service users - for many it is their only opportunity to celebrate the festive season. This week in both Manchester and Brighton we have held Christmas dinners; with all the trimmings, quizzes and a spot of carol singing. We also like to give our service users a goody bag to wish them a happy and healthy Christmas, this is often the only Christmas present that people will receive. This year the goody bags in Justlife Manchester have been made possible by several construction and engineering companies working in the area. BAM, Laing O'Rourke and Allied Scaffolding have spent the last month collecting chocolate, warm socks, hats and thermal vests from their employees and in addition collected and donated £483! Ruth Cox, Centre Manager at Justlife said: "It is brilliant to know that the spirit of giving is still alive at Christmas, and we are delighted that companies working in the local area want to support a local charity and the local homeless population. We are overwhelmed with the generosity of BAM, Laing O'Rourke and Allied Scaffolding and their collection of items and money has ensured that every homeless and vulnerable person who visits our centre over the christmas period will receive a really good gift. So many of the people with which we work are faced with horrific circumstances and battles everyday and they often receive the 'least' in life. This Christmas, we know that what will be giving them is the best."We hope that the partnerships with these three companies and more local businesses grow over the coming months and years and we are able to work together towards a brighter future for east Manchester.Pic (L-R): Ruth Cox: Justlife Centre Manager, Ninvita Khoshaba: Laing O'Rourke and Maz Roque: Justlife Student Placement Volunteer.Merry Christmas
