Help make Christmas special for a local care leaver

14 Nov 2025

Established in Manchester in 2013 by our former Chancellor, Lemn Sissay OBE, The Christmas Dinner hosts a fun and memorable Christmas Day to care leavers aged 18-25, who would otherwise be on their own.

Our University community has been involved with The Christmas Dinner for many years, with colleagues volunteering to make this a special day, ensuring that no care leaver feels alone at Christmas.

The event is generously supported by our University suppliers who donate the food for the dinner, alongside external partners such as Waitrose who provide hampers for the guests to take home. However, creating this memorable occasion also relies on some wider donations, particularly to ensure that each guest receives a selection of Christmas gifts.

Could you support a young care leaver this Christmas by purchasing a small gift, or making a financial contribution to support the event, more widely?

Support the touring raffle!

There will also be a raffle tour taking place across campus on various dates, including:

Tuesday 18 November – John Owens (CMSR Office)
Wednesday 19 November - AMBS
Tuesday 25 November – Beehive Café
2 December – Christies Café
5 December – Whitworth Art Gallery

With more dates and venues to be confirmed...

Prizes include Hyatt hotel vouchers for meals and overnight stays, £100 Greggs voucher, Manchester City FC prizes, M&S hamper, handmade Christmas quilt, original canvas artwork, beauty services voucher, crates of beer, Everyman cinema tickets, £100 Dishoom restaurant voucher, a mini drone, plus more...!

It is £1 for a strip of tickets (either cash or card accepted).

Want to find out more?

Instagram: @mcrxmasdinner
Facebook: The Manchester Christmas Dinner

See the film of our 2024 Christmas Dinner and hear from the guests about what it means to them: