Christmas Day can be a lonely time for those who don’t have family around them. While most of the usual support services shut down, those who are on their own, facing homelessness or just struggling with the rising cost of living may appreciate a warm place to sit down with others and enjoy a hot meal.
And in Bristol there are a number of venues opening up their doors to those who may otherwise spend the day alone, are short of funds or fancy a day off from cooking and can’t afford the Christmas meal pub prices.
Below you can find several venues offering free meals on Christmas Day. Some of these need to be booked in advance or require referrals.
Super Supper Club
The Pickle Factory, 13 All Hallows Road, BS5 0HH
The Super Supper Club based in Easton offers a weekly Wednesday three course meal for a bargain price of £4 per head. For several years the group of volunteers have spent their Christmas Day cooking and serving up meals for anyone in the community who wants to join.
They will be taking bookings via their Facebook page for the free Christmas dinner. They always cater for vegetarians and vegans which they are asking people to specify in advance alongside any other dietary requirements.
Shirehampton JTE Hub
The Methodist Church, High Street, Shirehampton, BS11 0DY
Shirehampton JTE Hub will host a Christmas dinner and invite people to join them for good food and company and ‘holiday cheer’. The event will take place from 10.30am-12pm.
Shirehampton JTE Hub are always on the lookout for friendly volunteers, get in touch with them directly if you wish to help out on the day. To reserve your place, bookings can be made via eventbrite here.
The Marmalade Trust Christmas Cheer
The loneliness charity offers meals to people on Christmas Day every year on a referral only basis. Self referrals and referrals for others can be made via the website or telephone.
In order to be eligible the person must live alone and be someone who wouldn’t otherwise see anyone on Christmas Day. The Marmalade Trust sets out other criteria, including that the person should not be experiencing a mental health crisis or drug/alcohol abuse, and they should be able to come to their door so volunteers can offer a chat and gift at their doorstep.
Caring at Christmas at Trinity
Each year Caring at Christmas provides hot meals to those experiencing homelessness or hardship during the Christmas period. Alongside the hot meals, people can access wellbeing, health and social activities and emotional, mental health and medical support.
You can find out more, apply to volunteer or donate to the project via the Trinity Centre website here.
If you are hosting a community meal on Christmas Day that you would like to be listed please email the details to [email protected]