Festivities Across Community Lives, Windsor and Maidenhead 2024

This festive season Windsor and Maidenhead Community Lives Services have been enjoying a variety of events bringing joy, connection, and celebration. From musical evenings to winter wonderland adventures, there was something for everyone to enjoy during this special time of year.

A Musical Evening to Start the Festive Season 
The celebrations began with a musical carol evening, where a colleague, Kirsty, came out of retirement to lead traditional carols with people we support and their carers. Katherine bravely sang a solo at the Festive Sing a long. Attendees joined in singing familiar tunes while savouring festive treats like mince pies and hot chocolate.  

Supporting a Christmas Tree Festival
ArtAble made decorations from pom poms and decorated a tree at St Lukes church. The festival raises money for a local charity from the donations given to the ‘best tree’. This year the charity was ‘Thames Valley Heartbeat’. A group who visited the display were amazed by the number of trees included this year and the festive atmosphere of the church, a real sensory experience. 

Christmas Disco at Woodford Park 
The festive cheer continued at Woodford Park with a Christmas disco that saw over 80 people in attendance. Friends from across services gathered to dance, celebrate, and reconnect. The event was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen bonds, create memories, and mark the Christmas period with energy and enthusiasm.

Christmas Fair at the Oakbridge Centre 
The Oakbridge Centre hosted a delightful Christmas fair, where attendees enjoyed browsing and purchasing a variety of handmade gifts, including cards, keyrings, and pens.  

Adding to the festive fun at Oakbridge, the Rah Rah Theatre Company presented a pantomime for attendees from both Oakbridge and Boyn. The performance brought laughter and festive cheer to the audience, making it a memorable experience for everyone.

A Magical Trip to Windsor Winter Wonderland 
One of the season’s highlights was a trip to Windsor Winter Wonderland, where people had the opportunity to enjoy ice skating at Windsor on Ice. The group immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere, exploring the winter market, sipping hot chocolate, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

Drama and Festive Dinners at Oakbridge 
Back at the Oakbridge Centre, people presented a drama performance for their friends from Maidenhead services. Inspired by the spirit of togetherness, people we support at Oakbridge decided to organise a shared Christmas dinner, bringing everyone together to enjoy delicious food and festive camaraderie.

Festive Fun at Boyn Dementia Day Service
People supported at the Dementia Day Service enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration featuring a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Before lunch, they enjoyed Christmas quizzes and games, setting a cheerful tone for the day. After the meal, a talented entertainer named Collett performed a mix of old classics and Christmas songs. People joined in with bells and tambourines, singing and dancing along to the music. The day ended on a high note, with everyone heading home with a special Christmas gift.

Live Music and Festive Performances 
Music played a significant role throughout the celebrations, with live performances by singers Noa and Lainey adding to the season’s joy. Their music brought energy and happiness, creating a wonderful festive atmosphere for all.

A Magical Finish to the Season 
To close out the celebrations, Boyn Grove Community Lives hosted a Christmas Grotto and an enchanted festive light trail. This relaxed and family-friendly event was perfect for local families with small children and people we support. 

The festivities across Windsor and Maidenhead have brought people together through music, performances, shared meals, and laughter, offering something special for everyone.