Christmas Wishes and Seasonal Celebrations at the Vassall Community Hub

The Vassall Community Hub Christmas Tree this season welcomed the hopes, dreams, and festive messages of people from the local area.

The tree was first brought along to Carols on the Green, where members of the community were invited to write down their wishes anonymously and hang them on the tree. After the event, it was placed outside the Hub team office, and has continued to gain more wishes from visitors over the festive period.

The wishes reflect a wide range of sentiments - from joyful and whimsical to heartfelt and serious. Some are light-hearted, such as a wish for jellyfish, complete with cute little drawings, or requests for snow and Disney. Others share deeper feelings, with people expressing hopes for happiness for their families, joy in the community, and support for those struggling financially or missing loved ones.

A few wishes highlight opportunities for the Hub to respond directly, including calls for more activities for local young people - a goal the team hopes to explore in the coming year.

Alongside the Christmas wishes, the Hub has hosted a wide range of festive activity throughout December. This has included the lively Circular ArtSpace Christmas Fair, a seasonal outing for Lunch Club members, and practical support for local families who were struggling to afford gifts.

Two Fix It Forward days saw volunteers helping to make homes and gardens safer and more liveable, while Food Club has provided festive treats for members. The programme will finish with a Christmas youth party on Christmas Eve, running from 11am to 3pm. 

Some of the wonderful messages on the tree included:

• “Everyone to be filled with joy.”

• “That everyone is seen and listened to x.”

• “I wish for happiness for my family.”

• “Hoping for joy in this community.”

• “More youth! Snow”

• “Laughter + joy for everybody.”

• “Inflation reverse itself.”

• “Joy and peace.”

• “I wish for everyone to be happy and healthy.”

• “I wish for people to be kind to each other.”

  
  

The Vassall Hub Christmas Tree not only captured the festive spirit but also showcased the hopes, creativity, and care of the local community. It’s a reminder of how small gestures, like sharing a wish, can bring people together and inspire action in the year ahead.