Celebrating Christmas at YMCA to bring joy to young refugees

By Serena Lola

On the 19th of December 2017 Heston West Big Local participants went to our local YMCA to do something nice for the refugees this year in partnership with Hillingdon Refugee Support Group. We created hand made cards and gave mini gifts to all of them there to celebrate Christmas and get into the Christmas spirit by giving back to the community.

On arrival we had a warm welcoming from everyone there and just had some free time to socialise with the teens there, it was a fun, exciting and new experience which allowed us to do something heartfelt this Christmas. We played table tennis, snooker, talked and just had a great time with everyone. Once we’d all settled in we all gathered to enjoy some delicious food and just had good time socialising with everyone and getting into the Christmas mood.

Then began the icebreakers where we got to share what we were thankful for and get to know a bit more about one another. Time flew by pretty quick and before we knew it some of our volunteers did some amazing performances for everyone and we all joined in at the for a Christmas song before heading home after a night of excitement. It was so nice to do something giving and kind this Christmas.