Westfield supports local communities including London-based food bank charity

This festive season, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have developed a number of activities and initiatives focussed on ensuring its West and East London communities can still enjoy planning for Christmas and all the festive experiences on offer amid the cost-of-living crisis.

TACKLING FOOD POVERTY IN LONDON

Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have each provided a substantial cash donation to food bank charity partner, The Felix Project that will support local communities by providing 90,000 meals – equating to 45,000 meals per borough – to local residents in need this winter. The Felix Project collects fresh, nutritious food that cannot be sold and deliver surplus food to charities and schools so they can provide healthy meals and help the most vulnerable in our society, which includes frontline charities, primary schools and holiday programmes.

Felix Kitchen East London is located 2.4 miles away from Westfield Stratford City
Felix Kitchen West London is located 3.4 miles away from Westfield London

To help fill millions of empty plates with nutritious food and help London´s families eat during the cost-of-living crisis, please visit: https://thefelixproject.org/emptyplateappeal

Jane Byam Shaw, Trustee and Co-Founder of The Felix Project, said: “Westfield’s generous donation will deliver 90,000 meals for Londoners at risk of hunger due to this terrible cost of living crisis. The Felix Project greatly values support from partners like Westfield at this critical time.”

Alyson Hodkinson, Head of CSR UK and General Manager at Westfield Stratford City, said: “We appreciate the festive period can be a tough time for many and we’re proud to be able to help those in need in our local communities. Our centres are valued hubs for the communities they operate in, and we remain committed to providing safe, warm spaces for visitors, as well as providing essential items to those who need them in partnership with local charities, during the festive period and beyond.”

CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL

To ensure children have presents to open on Christmas morning, Westfield has launched a Christmas Toy Appeal to encourage toy donations for children aged 0-5 years. This year’s toy appeal at Westfield Stratford City is in partnership with The Magpie Project which supports mums living in temporary accommodation with their children, and Westfield London’s toy appeal is in partnership with Space – a charity that supports families with children under-five experiencing financial hardship or facing a crisis in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Consumers are encouraged to donate sought-after toys such as books, clothes and teddies. Look out for the giant red Christmas present donation point at each centre. These can be found:

Westfield London – Ground floor of the Atrium by Russell & Bromley
Westfield Stratford City – First Floor by New Look and M&S

In addition to toy donations, Westfield has launched permanent TRAID Textile Collection Banks London centres to encourage to donate clothes stop clothes from being thrown away to landfill. 100% of the textiles which are donated are recycled, with funds raised then used by TRAID to create positive change for the people and places growing, spinning, weaving, dyeing and sewing clothes. TRAID needs donations which are in good enough condition to resell and welcome clothes, shoes (paired), bags, scarves, jewellery, hats, linen (including curtains), books, music and homeware of all kinds.

FREE FAMILY FESTIVE EXPERIENCES

Westfield is also offering a range of free festive events including a free, Meet Santa walk-up experience open every day from 12:30pm – 6:30pm until 24th December, with no pre-booking required. Families will be offered a chance to meet and greet Santa in his grotto, get a photo and every child visitor will receive a special free gift.

MULTI-FAITH PRAYER ROOMS

Westfield London and Stratford City provide a multi-faith worship and prayer areas – warm and welcoming spaces that are open to everyone all year-round. With December a being a month of many holidays and observances, guests of all faiths can find dedicated spaces for reflection and prayer within the centres.

At Westfield Stratford City there two rooms for customers to use on their visit:
The Multi Faith Room, run by volunteers from the Newham Muslim Forum. Opening hours are Monday-Saturday: 12pm-9pm and Sunday: 12pm-6pm. Located on the 1st floor behind the world food court
The Rest & Faith Space, run by volunteers from Inspire, is open Monday-Thursday from 12pm-6pm. Located on the 2nd floor near Nando’s.

Westfield London offers a modern and convenient space and separate men/women ablution facilities and is open daily Monday to Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 12-6pm. Located on Level -3 in The Village.

VACCINE POP-UP BUS

Westfield London is proud to be supporting London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s winter vaccination programme by hosting a pop-up walk-in NHS Vaccine Bus on Monday 19th December, between 10am until 6pm. The pop-up aims to boost vaccination rates and encourage and educate people on the benefits of the jab providing easier access for people who may find it difficult to get to a designated vaccination centre. The community can visit the pop-up outside Next on Wood Lane for free lifestyle advice and free Covid-19, Flu and Polio jabs, as well as for free blood pressure and glucose level checks.