L&Q grants help Ongar children’s Christmas wishes come true

In the spirit of Christmas, babies and toddlers in Epping Forest will receive a present worth £100 thanks to grants provided by Stratford-based housing association, L&Q.

Young, vulnerable mothers living at Railway Meadows supporting house scheme in Ongar received £100 each to buy Christmas presents for their children, including bikes and electronic toys.

Alyson Nugent, Senior Support Worker at L&Q Living said: “After the struggles of the last year, staff are determined to make Christmas 2022 extra special and create a fabulous festive feeling for all.

Financial pressures and the fallout from the cost-of-living crisis mean affordability is a real concern for our residents.

We are thrilled to offer these grants to the women living in our scheme, helping to spread the joy of Christmas with children who wouldn’t have received such a gift.”

One of the mum’s, Tayla, said: “I chose a bike as this is something I knew my daughter Narlah wanted, but I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. I have set aside the leftover money and will put it towards bills and other treats for Christmas. Thank you to L&Q and the staff at Railway Meadows – I am very grateful.”

Staff have transformed the scheme’s lounge into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa’s grotto, a Christmas tree, fake snow, a balloon wreath and tinsel.

The festivities at Railway Meadows didn’t end there – with residents invited to a Christmas party featuring a turkey buffet, sandwiches, cakes and music.

Based in Epping Forest, Railway Meadows provides accommodation-based support for 13 young, vulnerable mothers aged 16-24. The supported living scheme provides a place to live whilst helping them through the early stages of motherhood, including support with benefit applications.

L&Q’s Care and Support subsidiary, L&Q Living runs an annual grant programme for its care schemes to apply for funding to go towards a Christmas social. Funded by L&Q Living and the L&Q Foundation, the housing provider’s charitable arm, grants were awarded to 94 schemes and amounted to nearly £19,000.

L&Q Living provides care and support services to more than 6,500 people across London and the Southeast with a wide range of needs, including older people, people with learning difficulties and mental health needs, and people dealing with homelessness.