Dandara Living Celebrates the Spirit of Giving: Christmas Social Value Activities Across the UK

As the festive season unfolds, Dandara Living is proud to be at the forefront of several community-driven initiatives across the country.

Each of these activities not only brings joy and support to local communities but also aligns with our ongoing commitment to areas where we have developments in planning, under construction, or under active management.

Here's a look at how we're spreading festive cheer and supporting important causes in various regions:

Bristol

On 10th December, we launched the ‘Bemmy Bauble’ over Stafford Yard, following a special decorating event the day before. Working alongside Adele Lippiatt of Bristol Art Junkie, a well-known local creative with whom Dandara Living has collaborated with in the past, children from six local primary schools were invited to decorate individual lanterns which would feature in the bauble. The culmination of months of meticulous planning and teamwork, the star-shaped steel frame was then hoisted into position above Stafford Yard.

Also receiving our support in Bristol is Windmill Hill City Farm’s ‘Big Give Christmas Challenge’, for which we were a pledger. The campaign was a roaring success, raising over £10k in total, their best crowdfunding campaign to date. The money raised will go towards providing hot meals and warm spaces for families in South Bristol struggling with the cost-of-living crisis from now until Spring 2024.

Luton

We were very happy to support the High Town Christmas Fair in Luton this year by sponsoring their Christmas lights and switch on, which took place on the 2nd of December and attracted many from the local community to celebrate with their neighbours. We are also working with Edible High Town, an organisation which provides help and support to people from local communities to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers in underused public land. Edible High Town are preparing the raised beds in the Burr Street Square garden for winter, which sits adjacent to our Sleeper’s Cross development, and we have provided them with use of our hoarding, plus funding for litter bag hoops for their gardening sessions.

Glasgow

We have donated to one of our key partners, the Clutha Trust, which is hosting a Community Stage at this year’s Glasgow Winterfest. The stage itself allows for local musicians to perform completely for free during the event, which runs up until 7th January. The Clutha Trust’s primary winter campaign is ‘Power over Poverty’, which provides £100 towards the energy bills of 500 local families in need. The organisation aims to reach £50k in donations, and we are pleased to be helping support the campaign as well as their stage at Glasgow Winterfest.

In addition, we’re sponsoring another initiative on Christmas Day, whereby the Clutha Trust will be providing a full Christmas Dinner for those who aren’t able to afford one themselves.

High Wycombe

Between now until March 2024, we are supporting the One Can Trust in High Wycombe, to collect much needed items for the One Can Trust Foodbank. We have a collection point at our Altrincham office and Dandara Living has pledged to match all employee donations made. In addition, we were pleased to sponsor the Christmas lights switch-on at Frogmoor, situated close to our upcoming site, which took place on 18th November. The ceremony featured a range of performances from local artists and schools and was a huge success.

Staines-Upon-Thames

In an exciting collaboration with Staines BID, Dandara Living is proud to be supporting a festive initiative in the heart of the town. This year, we are supporting a talented local artist in transforming the shop fronts along High Street and London Road into a charming display of Christmas-themed artwork. This artistic trail aligned perfectly with the Christmas Festival and Lights Switch-On event, which took place on 19th November 2023. Not just a creative exhibition however, those who follow the trail and submit their participation online have the chance to win tickets to Thorpe Park.

As Zoe Sharpe, Senior Development Manager at Dandara Living, who was involved in organising our support for all initiatives, concludes: