Help create a magical, memorable Christmas Day for young care leavers
06 Nov 2019
Our Chancellor, Lemn Sissay needs you – as hosts, the chef or gift-givers for The Manchester Christmas Dinner
The Manchester Christmas Dinner is part of our Chancellor, Lemn Sissay’s Christmas Dinner Project. Each year the Manchester community comes together to create a magical, memorable Christmas Day for care leavers 18 to 25-years-old who would otherwise be on their own.
Lemn says: “Many care leavers are sat in flats, B&B’s and hostels, away from family, or sofa surfing and some are indeed living on the streets on their own at Christmas. Christmas is a reminder of everything they never had. I know because I’ve shared their experiences.
“Thanks to the work, effort and donations of many generous people we have hosted a scrumptious Christmas meal and created magical days to remember in cities and towns across the country.”
The Manchester Christmas Dinner needs your help!
We need Hosts for Christmas Day.
On the day, our volunteer hosts play a hugely important role in ensuring the day goes smoothly. We’re looking for volunteers who are able to join us on Christmas Day to meet and greet our guests, to give out presents, to lead games and activities and many more little jobs along the way.
Hosts need to be prepared to muck in and get their hands dirty; they should be fun loving, generous and warm of spirit. We need people who are good and listening, but who can also sing and dance and make a lot of noise. We need people with skills that they can offer – from face-painting to beauty treatments, for photography to karaoke. Above all, hosts need to be willing to work hard and turn their hand to anything – just like a host at any decent party!
If you can help, please email Manchester Hosts at:
We need a Chef.
A scrumptious Christmas Dinner is so important and we need a chef to lead the preparation on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day they will of course have lots of elf helpers. Know anyone? Please ask them to email:
We need gifts!
Visit our wish list if you wish to buy a gift for one of our guests:
More information
For more information on The Manchester Christmas Dinner, visit