A Grateful Christmas

In December, Wellbeing Champion Kelly Bent brought the festive spirit to Swansea by organising ‘A Grateful Christmas,’ a day full of fun, reflection, and creativity for the people we support and our staff.

The event created a space to focus on gratitude and the positives in life, which can be especially meaningful during the festive season. People were encouraged to take part in mindfulness activities, including writing down three things they were grateful for. This simple yet powerful exercise gave everyone a chance to pause and reflect. 

For some, the day was also an opportunity to think about their personal wellbeing and work satisfaction. One attendee reflected,

“I am happy learning how to recognise my own wellbeing when I need to make time for myself and how to go about it. I am happy with my job, which allows me to do the nice things in life.” 

One person shared:

“I am happy with the staff in my home, having my car, and happy with my new staff,” while another expressed their appreciation for the day and those around them: “I am happy with my amazing, fun, and supportive staff team and this fab Christmas event.” 

The event was also packed with creative activities, from decorating snowflakes and Christmas tree ornaments to crafting with pinecones and wooden trees. One person’s excitement was clear as they said,

“I can’t wait to make a Christmas tree for my mum!” 

Kelly shared her inspiration behind the event:

“I wanted to bring everyone together and get into the Christmas spirit. ‘A Grateful Christmas’ was about encouraging the people we support and staff to think about what they are grateful for at this time of year, beyond just the physical gifts we might receive.” 

The day was a great success, with attendees enjoying a range of crafts, socialising, and indulging in festive treats and hot chocolate. Kelly reflected,

“It was a lovely day with everyone enjoying the crafts and coming together to celebrate the season.”