Age UK Westminster Brings Festive Cheer to Hundreds of Older People Across the Borough at Christmas

Age UK Westminster spread warmth, companionship and festive cheer throughout December with an extensive programme of Christmas lunches, afternoon teas and community events, supporting hundreds of older people across Westminster during the festive season. 

Throughout December, Age UK Westminster hosted four festive lunches and six afternoon teas, with attendances across the events totaling 391. These celebrations offered not only delicious food but also vital opportunities for social connection, entertainment and joy at what can be a particularly lonely time of year. 

Highlights from the festive programme included Christmas lunches with bingo, raffles, music, Zumba and live performances, held in partnership with a wide range of corporate and community supporters. Two special Pickering Hall Lunch Club Christmas lunches also took place on 4 and 18 December, welcoming 24 clients across both dates. 

Events were hosted at venues across Westminster and beyond, including the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Hilton London Metropole, Beethoven Centre, Heist Bank Paddington, Alice House Queen’s Park, and more – each providing a welcoming, festive space for older residents to celebrate together. 

Feedback from attendees: 

“Grateful thanks to the members of AGE UK as well as EffectAble for hosting the Tea party on the 3rd December with added thanks to the aspiring young musicians. Blessings for your dedication.“ AMJ 

“Good afternoon. I am writing to express my gratitude to you for organising various events for AgeUK Westminster and inviting so many of the residents including me. It is a noteworthy and great way of thinking and providing for the less fortunate residents of the City of Westminster. All of us look forward to leave our homes for the various events and make new friends.  Souad is the best host I have come across, ever so gracious, courteous and kind with a calm , gentle and considerate nature.  She and her their team members likes Stephen and Vesna, etc are so welcoming to anyone and everyone with gentleness and graciousness.” CJ 

“Mary and I enjoyed it very much and had interesting chats with the other participants.  
In fact, Mary sent an email to the hotel, thanking them for looking after us so well. Kind regards.” BM 

Christmas Day: Reaching the Most Vulnerable at Home 

On Christmas Day, Age UK Westminster continued its long-standing tradition of supporting older people who are unable to leave their homes. In partnership with St Paul’s School and Parkhouse Christmas Meals, the charity prepared and delivered an incredible 308 Christmas lunches and hampers to vulnerable older residents across Westminster. 

An army of volunteers – including school staff, parents, and students – came together to pack and personally deliver meals, gifts and friendly visits, ensuring no one felt forgotten on Christmas Day. 

Age UK Westminster has been running this vital Christmas Day service since the early 1980s and remains the only organisation in Westminster delivering Christmas lunches directly to older people in their homes – made possible entirely through the dedication of volunteers. 

Feedback from a Christmas day lunch recipient: 

“Hello. I want to thank you for my lunch which has just been delivered to me by 4 very nice young ladies. I appreciate it very much and I am very very grateful. Thank you very very much I can't believe how great it is.” 

Thanks to Our Supporters 

Age UK Westminster would like to extend heartfelt thanks to its trusted partners Paddington Charities, Edward Harvist Trust, and Julia Rausing Trust, whose continued support makes this work possible. 

Special thanks also go to corporate supporters: 

BNP Paribas, Urban Leisure, Halcyon Days, Storck UK Ltd, Atomico, GIC, Howard de Walden, Newton Europe, Southbank International School, Effectable, Hotel 63, Royal Lancaster Hotel, Bain & Co, and Hilton Edgware Road. 

Finally, Age UK Westminster would like to thank its incredible volunteers and staff, who supported Christmas lunch deliveries, community events and befriending calls throughout the festive season. 

Thanks to their generosity, time and compassion, hundreds of older people across Westminster experienced a warmer, brighter and more connected Christmas in 2025.