Christmas can be a tough time. Social expectations and the desire to provide the type of joyful family occasion that is experienced by most New Zealanders at Christmas time is huge. However, when it’s been a difficult year and finances are tight, making Christmas happen can be stressful and, for some households, impossible, to achieve. In response to this reality, Visionwest Community Trust organises Christmas From The Heart, an event that has become a recognised part of the West Auckland Christmas calendar and seeks to support whānau to create the type of joyous Christmas Day that their families would otherwise miss out on.
This report is prepared as an encouragement and inspiration for those involved in Christmas From The Heart 2024, and to highlight the impact a connected community can have in supporting others during challenging times. It provides an overview of Christmas From The Heart 2024 and contains high-level data about whānau receiving Christmas support.
Also included are reflections relating to the current level of hardship faced by many in Aotearoa New Zealand today and what needs to change in order to improve food availability and other social services so that events like Christmas From The Heart are no longer necessary.
