GWP provides third year of support for loneliness charity

GWP is helping the Marmalade Trust bring festive cheer to hundreds of local people for a third consecutive year.

Having worked with the Bristol-based loneliness charity in 2022 and 2023, GWP has once more donated hundreds of cardboard boxes for the charity’s Christmas Cheer initiative. Marmalade Trust volunteers will decorate and fill the boxes with gifts before distributing them to individuals experiencing loneliness during the festive period.

The hampers are part of a broader project that entails doorstep visits by volunteers alongside organising and funding Christmas Day meals in pubs and restaurants for those who would otherwise spend the day alone.

Last year, the initiative reached over 200 people throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

The charity’s Christmas Cheer initiative aims to bring joy and companionship to those on their own on Christmas Day. It includes lunch in a local restaurant and a hamper full of gifts. The charity also provides doorstep visits to those unable to leave their homes.

The initiative aims to reach anyone who feels particularly lonely and isolated, such as an older person who may have no family or friends nearby. Everyone is made to feel part of the Marmalade family.

Gemma Brown, Christmas Cheer Event Coordinator at the Marmalade Trust, commented:

While there is growing awareness of people experiencing loneliness at any time of year, it is at this festive time that those without their own connections can feel especially lonely. This can lead to feelings of sadness, further isolation and even dread as adverts show scenes of gladness and joy on our televisions.

She continued

Our aim is that no one should spend Christmas alone if they don’t want to. This is why ongoing support from local businesses, including GWP, is a huge help. Their generosity enables us to reach and engage with more of those affected by loneliness over this period.

The Marmalade Trust, founded in 2013, was the first charity in the world dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. It undertakes various projects to identify people most at risk of experiencing long-term loneliness in society, help them find ongoing support, and encourage them to make new connections and friendships.

David Mason, Sales Director at GWP Packaging, commented:

We’ve been proud to support The Marmalade Trust over the past two Christmases, and we had no hesitation in doing so for a third year. The charity does a fantastic job of helping people experiencing loneliness, who can be particularly vulnerable at this time of year.

Besides its involvement with The Marmalade Trust, GWP has supported various other community groups.

In 2023 and 2024, the manufacturer helped another charity, The Cirencester Round Table, with a similar project that provides struggling families with all the items needed for a Christmas dinner.

GWP has also provided extensive ongoing support for The Swindon Food Collective (formerly Swindon Foodbank), sponsors The Cricklade Band’s Christmas performances, and even supplied cardboard Christmas trees for primary school children to decorate.

David continued:

As a business, we aim to support local groups and charities as much as possible. We are delighted to be able to help organisations such as The Marmalade Trust and the important work they do.

For further information on The Marmalade Trust, its events, activities and how you can get involved, please visit www.marmaladetrust.org.

Alternatively, please visit the news section of this website for further information on the other charities and activities GWP Group is involved with.