There is an active and enthusiastic Youth SVP presence at St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Lanchester. Since November, their numbers have grown and they have been actively involved in the production of sensory lap blankets for those living locally with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
St Bede’s pupils also produced Christmas cards, which were distributed by the neighbouring All Saints adult SVP group, and took part in a Reverse Advent Calendar project. The Reverse Advent Calendar is an idea that appeared several years ago as a way of countering the over-commercialisation of Christmas. It focuses on giving and helping, rather than only receiving. Students brought in donations of dried food that were used to contribute towards local foodbanks and Pontop Partnership’s Love Christmas Appeal. Over 50 families, along with 13 people in temporary accommodation and a number of vulnerable adults in a special care home, received beautiful Christmas hampers.
St Bede’s Sixth Form students also donated goodies and, after liaising with the All Saints SVP, helped deliver the local hampers around the village.
Deacon Shaun McGee (Love Christmas Coordinator) said, “Thanks to the community of St Bede’s, who donated so generously, we were able to include many additional luxuries.”
The Youth SVP team are now planning future fundraising efforts which include a sleepover at St Mary’s Church in Blackhill.
