It's officially Christmas time, and that means the end of a busy festive season for community groups across Coventry and Warwickshire.

From book and toy drives to community parties and school shows, there has been a lot going on across the region.

Below, we take a look at what's been happening.

Eden Girls help the homeless

Pupils at Eden Girls' school helped spread the festive cheer this December by creating hampers packed with donated treats for residents at Allambie House and The Willows care homes.

The charitable work forms part of the school’s annual Festive Winter Gift Programme, which takes place across all 28 schools that are part of the multi-academy Trust Star Academies.

Eden Girls' School students from L to R: Urooj Zaheer, Sadiyah Khalifa, Farah Khan and Shalimar Almashhadani

Teacher Zubair Khalifa said: "Our pupils really wanted to bring a smile to people’s faces, whatever their circumstances, over the festive season."

Kenilworth Manor

Kenilworth Manor care home had a festive evening which raised more than £300 for resident activities next year.

Family, friends and locals from across Kenilworth joined the staff and residents at the home's Christmas Fayre where they were able to browse stalls selling handmade local crafts, jewellery and clothes. 

Residents, staff and family enjoying themselves at Kenilworth Manor Care Home

'Give a gift to a child' at Warwick Conferences

Staff at Warwick Conferences gave up their time over December to help Canley Community Centre wrap up presents that had been donated to their 'give a gift to a child' scheme.

The campaign was first launched last year to provide a sack of presents to children who might not otherwise receive any.

Anna-Marie Corbett, manager of the centre in Prior Deram Walk, said: "When a child has nothing, they appreciate everything and we hope to be giving a sack of presents to about 80 children who have been referred to us this Christmas."

The scheme is supported by Coventry University and Warwick conferences.

Pictured with wrapped Christmas presents at Canley Community Centre. From L to R: Emma Willis, Sarah Dietrich and Gail Tomlinson-Short, all from Warwick Conferences, and centre manager Anna-Marie Corbett.

Age UK Coventry

Age UK Coventry held a Christmas fayre at the Gilbert Richards Centre in Earlsdon.

The woodwork group had a stall, and a surprise visit was made by Mayor Linda Bigham.

Age UK held their Christmas Fayre at the Gilbert Richards Centre in Earlsdon. Here is the woodworking stall, with items made in their woodworking group

12 days of Waspmas

The Wasps team have been making guest appearances at charities and organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire.

Players visited Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Leamington soup kitchen, Zoe's place, and Warwick hospital to name a few to spread the festive cheer.

The Wasps ran their 12 days of Waspsmas campaign which took them to charities and organisations across the region

Coventry Sikhs

The Wahegru Foundation, a global Sikh foundation with a base in Coventry, collected more than 2,000 gifts which went to the Children's Society and NHS Children's Wards.

Generally speaking, Sikhs do no celebrate the religious meaning behind Christmas but take part in the festivities through charitable endeavours, and spending time with family.

Avon Valley School, Rugby

Year 7 students from Avon Valley school in Rugby filled 70 boxes destined for disadvantaged children abroad.

The children brought in items such as toys, toiletries, school equipment and other goodies for the boxes which went to Samartian's Purse, an organisation behind Operation Christmas Child.

Avon Valley students from Rugby donated more than 70 shoeboxes for operation Christmas child appeal

Foleshill Women's Training

The centre, which supports women in Coventry through social, health and economic projects  held their Christmas party and it was a roaring success.

Centre manager Christine McNaught said: "It was an opportunity for women from different communities to come together and celebrate."

Foleshill Women's Training had their annual Christmas Party with themed events

Myton Hospice

The teams at Coventry's Myton Hospice celebrated the festive season with their Christmas jumper day.

The centre looks after those with life limiting illnesses, and also has a community choir, and even put on Christmas early for those that were really unwell.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Myton Hospice celebrated Christmas with their Christmas jumper day

Live action nativity on the streets of Stoke Aldermoor

Members of St Catherine’s Church in Stoke Aldermoor treated their local community to a live nativity with free donkey rides, carol singing, mince pies and hot drinks.

They had two live action shows on the streets of Stoke Aldermoor of Christmas. We love to see it!

St Catherine's Church in Stoke Aldermoor held a live action nativity for their community
Members of the community had donkey rides, drinks and mince pies in the streets

Canley Community Centre

There was a big turnout for the community centre's annual Christmas fayre.

The centre sits at the heart of the area, and provides a lot of help and entertainment for local families. City of Culture Producer Ellen Booth was there to soak in the festivities.

Canley Community Centre's Christmas fayre was bustling

Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre

The centre, which supports members of the newly arrived community had their annual Christmas party.

The project plans events where participants and the community can come together, from their friendship group in Hillfields to their crafting sessions.

Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre held their annual Christmas party and there was even a visit from Santa!

Proof Bakery

Proof Bakery , a bakery and community cooperative that helps local refugees build their skills and employability has gone from strength to strength this year.

They have catered huge events, have a subscription service to their popular sourdough loaves and biscuits and launched their training scheme.

Nuneaton and Bedworth dementia choir

The Nuneaton and Bedworth dementia choir released a heartwarming Christmas video.

The Nuneaton and Bedworth dementia choir was set up to help anyone affected by dementia to come together through music.

The choir sessions run every Thursday from 11am until 1pm at Bulkington Parish Hall.

To find out more information you can contact Volunteer Friends (who run the choir) on 024 7631 5151 or email info@volunteerfriends.org.uk

Nuneaton and Bedworth dementia choir

Santa sleighs across Coventry and Warwickshire

December is also the time for charitable organisations to fire up their Santa sleigh for the families of Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Nuneaton Round Table, The Rotary Club, and Bedworth Lions Club all took their sleighs to the streets as local families got to meet Santa.

Coventry Rotary Club Christmas Appeal

Coventry Improv

The group had their Christmas show, with all audience donations going to Mary Ann Evans Hospice.

Organisers said: "Our base is Esquire's Coffee in Coventry and we do weekly workshops and monthly improvised comedy shows (Known as "Full of Beans") where we play improv games based on audience suggestions.

"Entry is always free, but we ask for audience donations afterwards which go to a local charity which changes every quarter."

Coventry Improv's Christmas show

Coventry Boys and Girls Club

Coventry Boys and Club celebrated a highly successful first year in their new head quarters on Whitefriars Street with a series of fun Christmas parties.

CBGC will be back with a new youth session schedule in 2020, along with the boxing club, and a wide range of exciting activities.

For more information check CBGC social media or  CBGC.org.uk  in the New Year.

Coventry boys and girls club celebrated a successful first year in their new premises on Whitefriars street

Coventry Police Cadets

The Coventry Police Cadets will be a familiar sight to many, and December has kept them busy.

Their charity bag pack at the Ricoh Arena raised £606, which meant they could buy toys and games for University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire  children's ward.

A spokesman for the group said: "It was one of the most humbling experiences and brought tears to their eyes (to both cadets and their leaders!)"

Coventry police cadets raised £606 from their charity bag packing, which they used to buy toys for the UHCW Children's ward

Geet Mala Group

The community group came into existence in 2018 and brings together members of the South Asian community for singing, friendship and group activities.

During the festive season members raised £130 for Finham Library - which is where they hold their meetings.

The group meets every second, third and fourth week on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm.

For more details of the other activities in the Library, contact Finham Library on 024 7678 6974, or drop-in at Finham Road, Coventry, CV3 6EP

Geet Mala Group a friendship group in the South Asian commuity held their festive meet ups Finham library

 

St John the Divine C of E Church, Willenhall

St John the Divine church in Willenhall put on a live action nativity for the whole community on December 23, known by some as Christmas Eve Eve.

An organiser said: "There was free food, crafts, a chance to meet Santa and even a real camel & donkey! It even snowed!"

All Saints School, Coventry

All Saints choir went to performs for patients and visitors at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire , and they certainly brought the Christmas cheer!

All Saints Primary School sang for patients at UHCW hospital

Enterprise Disabled Club

The Enterprise Disabled Club celebrated throughout December.

They held their Christmas party,  had a charity bag pack, and took 30 members to the pantomime.

Over the course of a month their charity bag packs raised £2,600.

Enterprise Disabled club at their Christmas meal

Midland Seva Society

The group were established in 2013 and provide hot food and drink to those living on the streets, schools, safe houses and those on the poverty line.

The team were out in Coventry on Sunday, December 22 handing out food and presents that they had collected as a result of the society's shoebox appeal.

A spokesman said: "So much generosity from people across the city who donated. People struggling over Christmas really appreciated receiving a gift.

"In particular, one gentleman living on the streets that we spoke to didn't receive cards or presents from his family, so it was the only gift he received."

If you are interested in volunteering or donating you can find more details here

The Midland Seva Society were on the streets of Coventry on December 22 feeding the homeless

Coventry City Mission

The community centre and foodbank, based on Deedmore road in Wood End , are opening up their pay as you feel cafe for a three course Christmas meal on Christmas day.

The centre is a key point in the area for accessing help.

A spokesman said: "This year we are offering a three course, free of charge Christmas lunch on Christmas day (12.30pm) in our cafe on Deedmore Rd for those who would value this support.

"Whether through financial difficulty, loneliness etc you would be welcome."

So there we have it, our round up of how communities across Coventry and Warwickshire celebrated Christmas.

There are so many community groups across the region doing great things, often dealing with a big demand over Christmas. 

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and look forward to hearing from you in 2020.

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