OPERATION Community Hamper (OCH) transformed a building at UWE Bristol into a hive of festive activity for their busiest time of the year: Hamper Weekend. Between December 12 and 15, more than 2,000 hampers were lovingly packed and prepared, each one brimming with donations from local people, businesses, and charity events.
Charlotte Churchill, the charity’s founder, said: “They say Christmas is a time for giving, and the OCH hamper weekend embodies that perfectly. It’s wonderful to see so many people and businesses giving up their time, pulling together, and supporting us over the course of four days. All to spread a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most. It never fails to amaze us how the community comes together and proves that the Christmas spirit is alive and well.”
The Voice was invited to step behind the scenes and lend a hand. What we found was more than just an operation. It was a celebration of community: volunteers of all ages worked side by side over the weekend, ensuring every family that had been referred would receive a hamper.
Joyful Christmas tunes filled the rooms as hampers began their journey:
● Step 1: An empty box, carefully labelled with a number.
● Step 2: Stations where treats and essentials were added.
● Step 3: A quality check, ticking off every item.
● Step 4: Wrapping, sealing, and finally joining the growing mountain of finished hampers awaiting delivery.
Each hamper was designed to be a ‘hug in a box’ containing everything a family could need to make Christmas special. Seasonal favourites like chocolates, mince pies, biscuits, and crisps sit alongside crackers, tea, hot chocolate, and even a blanket for cosy winter evenings.
At the heart of the Operation was Charlotte Churchill, overseeing every detail with warmth and encouragement. She checked lists, guided volunteers, and reminded everyone why their efforts mattered.
Charlotte said: “Beneath all of it—every box, every list, every late night—lies the reason we do this. To give people hope. To say ‘we care about you’.”
Hamper Weekend was more than just hampers. Volunteers also prepared and organised for delivery gift bags, each carefully labelled (e.g. ‘girl age 6’, ‘boy age 3’, ‘Mum’) to ensure no one was forgotten. Despite the sheer scale of the task, the atmosphere remained calm, cheerful, and full of goodwill. Seasonal decorations and a joyful playlist kept spirits high as stacks of empty boxes slowly transformed into gifts of kindness.
OCH is proof that when kindness is shared, it multiplies. Each box is more than food and gifts; it’s a message of love, care, and community spirit wrapped up for Christmas.
To learn more about OCH or get involved, visit: https://www.operationcommunityhamper.co.uk/