Christmas is Coming: Volunteer at Grand Union BID

The festive season is nearly here, and we're getting ready to spread some serious cheer. We’ve got a sleigh-full of exciting events lined up and we’d love for you to be part of them.

Multi-company volunteer day at Essendine Primary School

Join us on Wednesday 3 December as we spread festive magic at Essendine Primary School in North Paddington. There will be a morning and afternoon volunteering session, and we’re looking for 25 colleagues to join us for each part of the day.

Essendine Primary is a delightful one-form entry school in North Paddington, set within a striking Victorian building. Like many schools in the area, it faces significant challenges - from high levels of deprivation and a declining pupil roll to a growing number of children with special educational needs. That’s why we’re proud to be partnering with them for a day of meaningful support; creating fun, inclusive spaces that are sensitive to cultures and pupils’ sensory needs.

Essendine has been a fantastic friend to Grand Union BID, regularly welcoming volunteer teams throughout the year. By coming together to support the school this festive season, we’re not only helping to brighten the holidays for their pupils, we’re also saying thank you for the warmth and generosity they’ve shown our community.

What’s Happening on the Day?

Volunteers will help transform the school into a winter wonderland, with activities including:

• Festive reading sessions with pupils
• Seasonal craft workshops
• Decorating the school Christmas tree and reception area
• Creating joyful spaces for pupils to enjoy, including transforming a school office into a magical grotto

Christmas Gift Drive

We are excited to launch our donation and wrapping drive on behalf of Westminster City Council’s Health Navigator team, who work tirelessly to support families facing significant hardship across the borough. Many of the families they work with have children aged 0–5, and are living in temporary accommodation, often without access to stable housing, outdoor space, or basic resources. For many, this winter will mean choosing between heating their homes and buying essentials—let alone gifts.

This Christmas, we’re aiming to collect 600 presents across four age groups to help bring a little joy to those who need it most. To ensure the gifts are appropriate, equitable, and culturally sensitive, we’re working from a curated list developed in partnership with the Health Navigator team. This helps us avoid duplication, ensure age suitability, and make sure every child receives something thoughtful and meaningful. Please visit our Gift Registry which includes gifts such as age-appropriate picture books, sensory toys and wooden educational toys.

Wrapping sessions will be held on Thursday 11th December at 1 Kingdom St, London, W2 6PY. There are three wrapping sessions across the day that you can book onto.

Would you like to buy a gift or two?

With a target of 600 presents to purchase, we really hope you can support this gift giving campaign. Please visit our Gift Registry which includes gifts such as age-appropriate picture books, sensory toys and wooden educational toys.

There will be donation points in several locations around Paddington Basin from 1-10 December, where your purchhased, unwrapped, gift (or gifts) can be left. Alternatively you are welcome to bring them along to our multi-company wrapping event.

Ready, steady, wrap!

On 11 December we will be rolling up our sleeves and rolling out the wrapping paper, as we prepare all the donated gifts. We'd love you to join us at 1 Kingdom Street for one of our three wrapping sessions.

• 9.30am - 11am
• 12 noon - 1.30pm
• 2.30pm - 4pm

There are a maximum of 50 spaces available in each wrapping session.