More than 100 pensioners enjoyed a Christmas celebration with music, games and festive food at a special party organised by students.
It was organised as part of #DMUlocal, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s campaign to create positive change and opportunities for people across Leicester, using the skills of staff and students to help the community. DMU's Square Mile outreach team invited community groups, worked with Age Concern to identify elderly and vulnerable people who would welcome the chance to meet new people and delivered leaflets to advertise the event.
Volunteer students served the food, took orders, organised games and raffles and ran bingo for their guests at the West End Community Centre in St Andrewes Street.
Among the guests was Edith Sinclair from New Parks. Edith, 74, said: “This is lovely, the young people have been so kind and helpful.”
Caroline Munroe, 79, of Leicester, has not been to a social event for 12 years and found out about the party after getting a leaflet through her door. DMU students arranged to bring her to the party where she met a woman who had known her late son.
“It’s like a miracle,” she said. Melvina Allen, originally from Montserrat, said: “She does not remember me but I met her a few years ago and I knew her son. We only live near each other too.”
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The party was supported by Lord Mayor Ted Cassidy and John Coster of the Leicester Centre for Integrated Living, which is based at the centre. Leicester West MP Liz Kendall was also there to chat to residents and wish them a happy Christmas.
Food was served by the Real Junk Food Project, which runs a pay-as-you-feel café every Thursday night and Fridays 11am to 3pm, while the LCIL social media cafe is on.
“This is lovely,” said spokeswoman Alison Preston. “The Square Mile Project does such great things for the community and it’s lovely to see so many people here today.”
One of the organisers, Debbie Tinsley, said it was a perfect example of the university’s #DMUlocal ethos that universities should be a public good.
She said: “We don’t want anyone to feel alone at Christmas time and we hope that everyone has a nice time together and makes new friends, and we want to hold events throughout the year so people can meet regularly.”
Posted on Tuesday 15 December 2015