Festive Updates and Support Over Christmas

As we approach the end of the year, we're delighted to share our Festive Updates! This post brings together highlights from December and November, alongside information about support available over the Christmas period.

🎄 Head Office Festive Opening Times

📅 Last working day: Tuesday 23rd December 2025

📅 Reopening: Monday 5th January 2026

If you need to get in touch, please keep these dates in mind. ✨

✨ Central Services Christmas Treat Day

On the 9th December, our wonderful Central Services Team enjoyed a festive Christmas Treat Day! We began with lunch at Bert House – delicious soups prepared by Jo and Joski, followed by a gorgeous homemade dessert from Gail.

Everyone then had the chance to pick a surprise gift from our Secret Santa Drop-Off Box, and to top off the day, we visited the Kinema in the Woods at Woodhall Spa for a private screening of Home Alone – the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising such a lovely day.

🤍 Shine's Winter Support Magazine

Shine has created a Winter Support Magazine with information on organisations and community spaces offering support and company over the Christmas period and into the New Year. A really useful resource for anyone who may need a little extra support this winter. You can view the magazine here: Christmas Shine Connect 2025

🎉 Peterborough Contact Centre Christmas Party

Our Peterborough Contact Centre was full of festive cheer on Sunday 14th December, as children and families came together for a Christmas party. There was music, games, prizes, party food and plenty of smiles!

A huge thank you to Angie and Rebecca, who generously donated their time, Christmas gifts, prizes and food to make the day so special.

The feedback from families says it all:

“Absolutely amazing, I wish more people cared as much as you.”

“Absolutely loved the party. Fun, easy going, all kids loved it. Christmas food, music, good vibes. All kids were happy, everyone got a present. Thank you – loved it!!”

“Very fun, the children enjoyed it. Thank you so much for doing this. Any extra time is worth so much."

“Today was very helpful for building relationships.”

Thank you to everyone involved in creating such a memorable and meaningful celebration for the children and families we support.

📣 Call for Evidence: Young People and Work

The UK government has launched a Call for Evidence for a new Young People and Work Report to explore why nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Insights are sought from young people, employers, carers, services and experts on barriers and solutions. Submissions will inform policy recommendations to increase opportunities for young people.

If you would like to contribute, please complete as groups and share with your wider networks and service users. Respond by 30th January 2026 via youngpeopleandwork.report@dwp.gov.uk. GOV.UK

❄️ Festive Moments at Waddington Out of School Club (OOSC)

December has been a busy and joyful time at Waddington OOSC, with plenty of opportunities for children, families and staff to come together and make special memories.

Last week, OOSC hosted their second ever Winter Stay and Play, welcoming parents in to spend time with their children in a relaxed, festive setting. Families enjoyed hot chocolates and the chance to make s’mores on the fire pit, led by Forest School Leader Kayleigh – a lovely way to connect, chat and share seasonal moments together.

It’s also been a festive month for staff. Earlier in December, the team came together for a Secret Santa breakfast, where mugs and beauty treats proved to be the most popular gifts of the morning! Team bonding continued with another escape room challenge, as staff split into two groups to take on Martha – The Haunting of Derwent Manor, and The Assassin’s Hideaway.

Alongside the celebrations, the team has been busy supporting the wider community, running their annual food bank collection and a children’s Christmas card competition.

💗 Positive Feedback from Newark Contact Centre

We recently received some lovely feedback from a parent using our Newark Contact Centre, who shared how much Claire’s (who works at the Contact Centre) support meant to them during what was an understandably anxious time.

The parent praised Claire for being accommodating and for helping both them and their child feel at ease and better prepared for what to expect: “Was lovely to meet you Saturday, thank you for being so accommodating to my child, and for trying to ease both us both at what’s to come and what to expect.”

Feedback like this highlights the care, empathy and reassurance our staff bring to every contact, helping families feel supported from the very first meeting. 😊

🎅 Festive Fun at Our Lincoln Supervised Contact Centre

Throughout December, our Lincoln Supervised Contact Centre has been getting into the festive spirit, offering Christmas craft activities at every session. The children have loved getting creative, and it’s been lovely to see families enjoying these moments together – with one father so pleased with the craft activity that he asked to take his creation home.

Meanwhile, our Lincoln Supported Contact Centre also enjoyed a festive session last weekend, with families coming together to take part in Christmas fun and celebrations. Thank you to the Lincoln team for creating such warm, engaging experiences for families throughout the Christmas period.

And before Christmas… here’s a look back at November

As this is our first external update since October, we wanted to also share some meaningful moments from November...

A few simple ways to take care of yourself during the winter:

✨ Get outside during daylight hours when you can

💬 Keep connected with others – a friendly chat can make the world of difference

🧘 Take time to rest and recharge as the season gets busier – and if taking a quiet moment to sit with a warm drink and read this newsletter helps you slow down – even better! ☕✨

🌺 RAF Waddington Nursery Attend Armistice Service

On 11th November, colleagues from RAF Waddington Nursery – Beth, Kirsteen, Julie and Jonathan (one of our wonderful trustees) – were invited to attend a special Armistice Service with the children.

It was a truly meaningful occasion, and the children represented the nursery beautifully. Military personnel praised them for how well they sat, listened and showed respect throughout the service.

Thank you to the team for supporting the children during this important moment of remembrance.

💛 Wishing Claire the Very Best in Her Next Chapter

In November, we said a heartfelt goodbye to Claire Kirby, Manager at Little Explorers Nursery in Grantham, as she moves on to an exciting new senior role.

Claire has been an exceptional leader, and her impact on Little Explorers has been truly transformative. Under her guidance, the nursery has grown into a happy, nurturing environment where both children and staff thrive. Her dedication, vision and positivity have shaped Little Explorers into the wonderful setting it is today.

We are incredibly grateful for everything Claire has done and for the care she has poured into the nursery and its community.

Thank you, Claire – and congratulations on your new role. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you every success for the future. 😊

🎉 Celebrating Leanne's 10 Years at RAF Waddington OOSC

In November, RAF Waddington Out of School Club celebrated a very special milestone – Leanne’s 10-year anniversary with the service.  

To mark the occasion, Leanne was presented with a selection of thoughtful gifts from the staff and children, including flowers, chocolates, a homemade brownie, an Amazon voucher, and a framed keepsake to commemorate her decade of dedication. 

Congratulations Leanne, and thank you for an amazing 10 years! 1️⃣0️⃣🎊🥂 

🧡 A Huge Thank You to Our Trustees!

From 3rd – 7th November, we joined charities across the UK in celebrating Trustees’ Week – a time to recognise the incredible contribution trustees make and the difference they bring to their organisations.

We want to say a huge thank you to our dedicated trustees at Children’s Links. Your commitment, expertise and passion are vital in helping us achieve our mission and continue supporting children, families and communities.

🌟 Holiday Wishes

As the year comes to a close, thank you for taking the time to keep up to date with Children’s Links, and for your continued support throughout the year. Everything we do is made possible by the kindness, encouragement and commitment of our wider community.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Children's Links