The event marked ten years since the Christmas Day lunch first began. Eight years were held inside the centre, with two years switching to meal deliveries during Covid restrictions.
Around 120 people attended the lunch in person this year. A further 20 meals were delivered to residents unable to attend.
Organiser Chris Smith said the event relied entirely on volunteers.
“We’ve got around 120 people in the community centre,” he said. “We’re delivering 20 meals afterwards to people on their own who couldn’t get here. We had 50-odd volunteers.”
He said the motivation behind the day was simple.
“There’s a lot of people in Old Town who are lonely, isolated,” he said. “So it’s just really nice for people to come and be with other people on Christmas Day.”
Guests were given presents, carols were sung and The King’s Speech played during the afternoon. Board games were placed on tables to encourage conversation between guests.
Chris shared a message for the wider town.
“Just don’t be alone. Come, try and find somebody,” he said. “A big thank you to everybody, because without volunteers you can’t run an event like this.”
In the kitchen, volunteers prepared and served meals for more than 130 people. Lynn Eggers, who has helped since the first year, said the event meant a great deal to her.
“I love to give something back to the community,” she said. “Christ Church has looked after me since my husband died.”
She said the lunch had grown significantly over the years.
“In the beginning, we started off with about 40, and we’ve grown to 120,” she said. Her Christmas message was clear. “Spread the joy.”
Among the guests was Alan Hawkins, who has attended for several years. He previously came with his brother, who died two years ago.
Asked why he kept coming back, he said: “For the entertainment.” He added that it was also about bringing people together who might otherwise spend the day alone.
Volunteer Lorraine Phelan has helped for nine consecutive years. She said events like this were vital across Swindon.
“Not just Christ Church, but anywhere in Swindon,” she said. “It’s important to get people together that maybe have got nobody to spend Christmas with. It’s really nice to help, and it’s really nice to see everybody enjoying their Christmas.”
As the afternoon drew on, conversations continued around the tables. For ten years, the message at Christ Church has remained the same, that nobody should have to spend Christmas Day alone.
