CHRISTMAS can be a hard time of year for a lot of people, however services and groups in Melksham are on hand to ease you through the season and beyond, particularly if you live alone, are without much money to spare or suffering illness or disability.
Melksham is hoping to help keep spirits high this festive season with support from local groups and clubs, offering everything from Christmas meals to informal chats and get togethers.
Groups and organisations which are providing help this festive season include Core Church with their free Christmas Day lunch at the Assembly Hall; Melksham Community Meals; Melksham Family of Churches who operate the Melksham FoodBank and a drop-in service; Melksham Seniors and Young Melksham who both have a variety of events planned over the festive season.
Free Christmas lunch
If you find yourself alone on Christmas Day, Core Church are once again hosting a free Christmas lunch at the Assembly Hall.
Gavin Owen, the organiser of the event said, “This free festive feast has been held every year since 2007 by Core Church and it has become something of a local tradition. As long as there are people who want to join us, we will continue to host this event year after year. We will once again be offering two sittings for dinner. The first sitting will be at 12pm, followed by our carol service at 2pm, with the second sitting at 3pm.
“We want to do whatever we can to make it possible for people to be here, so don’t let anything put you off. The invitation really is for everyone – old or young, rich or poor, on your own or with family and friends.
“If you or anyone would like to join Core Church on Christmas Day at Melksham Assembly Hall, you can book your place by calling or texting 07788 446567.”
Community meals
Melksham Community Meals was launched in February this year, replacing the Melksham Lunch Club, which was axed by Wiltshire Council in December last year. Melksham Community Meals is open to everyone in the town and surrounding villages, offering a place for people to meet and socialise.
Organisers say, “On your own? Don’t eat alone, come and meet our friendly team.”
The upcoming dates at Spencers Social Club are Wednesday 11th December, Friday 13th December, Sunday 15th December, Wednesday 18th December, Friday 20th December, Sunday 22nd December, Friday 3rd January, Sunday 5th January.
Meals are served from 12pm until 2pm. Everyone is welcome and meals start from £5. Bookings advisable, but not essential. For meal bookings, call Spencers on 01225 702216 or text Sue Mortimer on 07719 935 883.
Foodbank
The Melksham FoodBank is also available to those who need help this Christmas.
Melksham Foodbank is a scheme run under the auspices of the Melksham Family of Churches by a small team of volunteers who give out foodboxes. They are open for collection of food boxes and receipt of donated items:- Mondays 1.30 to 3.30pm except Bank Holidays, Thursdays 10.00 to 12.00 noon at Melksham Baptist Church.
Organisers say, “We are grateful for the generous support of people from Melksham and the surrounding area over the last 10 years, as are the families and individuals who have received foodboxes in that time.”
Lifeline service
They also offer the Lifeline service. This is a drop-in where they hope to create an atmosphere in which current and past clients have an opportunity to relax over coffee and chat to friendly volunteers who offer a listening ear and can often point them to relevant service providers.
One such service is debt and budgeting advice through Melksham’s Hope Debt Advice Service. Assistance can be given with accessing and completing DWP forms for claiming benefits.
Melksham Seniors
Older people can really suffer at this time of year if relatives don’t live close-by. Melksham Seniors is a group looking to tackle isolation and loneliness in those over 55.
They say, “The aim of the Seniors is to represent our older citizens, to provide a wide range of activities and to work to reduce loneliness.
“We meet at the Riverside Club every Thursday morning from 10.30am ‘til 12.30pm and have a varied programme of events.
“The Monday Club meeting at the Forest Community Centre is from 1.30pm to 4pm, on the first Monday of the month.”
Young Melksham
For those who are younger and looking for companionship this Christmas, charity Young Melksham has an inclusive club, as well as a teen counselling service, to bring out the potential of young people living in the town.
They say, “Young Melksham is a charity based in the heart of Melksham and are committed to making our service accessible to all young people in the Melksham Community Area.
“We offer free Teen talk counselling sessions for 10-25 year olds who are struggling to deal with their feelings.
“We also run This is Me club nights for adults with learning and/or physical disabilities once a month.
“Our clubs run from the Canberra Centre on Spa Road in Melksham and offer a range of activities for young people aged from 9 to 19.”
Going to a new club alone can be daunting, however local area coordinator, Matt Billingham, is here to help.
He said, “I work as a local area coordinator in Melksham, which is part of Wiltshire Council. My job is to help people find what would make their life better and find ways to get there. I am available to people of all ages, there is no agenda, no judgements or time limits. If you are facing challenges in life, have skills you want to share or simply want to have more connections in your community that will improve your life, I’m there to walk alongside you.
“I base myself in Melksham library to talk to, or you can call me on 07920 503771 or email matthew.billingham@ wiltshire.gov.uk”
