Swansea is once again pulling out all the stops to bring some festive cheer to people in need at a very special Christmas event.
JR Events & Catering, with support from Swansea Council, is throwing open the doors of the Brangwyn Hall on Tuesday (December 5) to dish up a free two-course Christmas dinner for people who are vulnerable, feel isolated or homeless.
Lasting from noon until 3pm, the Together at Christmas event will also see representatives from more than a dozen services and charities providing information on assistance available while free transport is available to and from the venue from the city centre.
The day is being sponsored by Swansea Council’s Human Rights City initiative which has seen Swansea declared the first Human Rights City in Wales and businesses are giving up their time freely providing entertainment, free haircuts, a chocolate fountain and other contributions.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, Robert Francis-Davies, said: “I’m very proud that we are once again working with JR Events to stage this day that continues to go from strength to strength.
“It would not be possible without Jessica and her team, the businesses who support us every year and the volunteers who turn out on the day and I’m very grateful to them all.
Council Leader Rob Stewart added: “This winter due to the cost of living crisis Swansea Council is doing more than ever before to support residents.
“There is a package worth more than £700,000 to provide free buses to all on the weekends, to support those providing food for school children during the holidays, to assist clubs and organisations to stage free and subsidised activities and to help the Swansea Spaces initiative providing warm and welcoming places residents can go throughout the winter.
“We are also continuing to work very closely with our partners to ensure that no one who needs or wants a bed or accommodation in Swansea will be without this winter.”
Jessica Rice, Director of JR Events and Catering, said: “Christmas is all about togetherness, and once again I’m overwhelmed to see our fantastic city come together to ensure every single Swansea resident has the opportunity to have a real Christmas celebration.
“Annually we’re so proud to host this event in partnership with Swansea Council, so please help us spread this open invitation far and wide.”
The council is putting on free transport to the Brangwyn on December 5 with buses leaving three location – the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Top of the Strand (Goleudy Access Point) and the Quadrant Bus Station (Disabled Parking Area near Swansea Mobility Hire) at 11.30am and returning at 3.15pm.
Businesses supporting Together at Christmas include It’s Science & Trimology, Oner Signs, JD Entertainments, Comet Security Group, JCFC Entertainments and The Wurlitzers.
Shannon Williams, event manager, said: “We’re already full for volunteers which is testament to our city.
“We are still appealing to anyone that has any warm clothing or shoes in good condition to please drop it to us between 8am and 11am at the main Brangwyn Hall entrance on Tuesday December 5th so that we can ensure its given to someone to help keep them warm & dry this winter.”
