Christmas Meals 2026

Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA) is delighted to announce that, thanks to our continued corporate partnership with Alstom, we have secured funding to provide 350 Christmas meals to members of our community who may otherwise go without a Christmas meal.

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people experiencing financial hardship, social isolation or other challenges. For someone living alone, struggling with the cost of living or without access to suitable cooking facilities, a Christmas meal can make a real difference.

With the generous support of Alstom and our dedicated volunteers, we will prepare, cook and package traditional Christmas meals, including vegetarian options and festive treats, ready for collection or delivery to eligible individuals.

We want to ensure that people in our community feel remembered, supported and able to enjoy a little Christmas cheer.

Who are Christmas meal for?

Our Christmas Meals project is intended to support people who are most likely to miss out on a Christmas meal without additional help.

Referrals may be appropriate for individuals who:

• Are living alone and experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
• Are on a low income or struggling with the rising cost of living.
• Are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford a Christmas meal.
• Have limited cooking facilities but have access to a microwave.
• Have health conditions, disabilities or mobility difficulties that affect their ability to prepare a meal.
• Are homeless, recently homeless or experiencing housing insecurity.
• Are leaving hospital or facing another difficult transition, where a Christmas meal would provide valuable support.
• Are experiencing other significant circumstances that mean they would otherwise go without a Christmas meal. 

Single households will be given priority.

Family households should be referred for our Christmas Hampers programme rather than a Christmas Meal.

What will be included?

Each Christmas meal will be prepared and packaged so that recipients can enjoy a traditional festive dinner at home.

The planned meal and festive items will include:

• Turkey with traditional trimmings
• A vegetarian alternative
• Roast potatoes
• Carrots, peas and roasted parsnips
• Stuffing and Yorkshire puddings
• Gravy and cranberry sauce
• Christmas pudding or an alternative dessert
• Custard
• A mince pie
• A chocolate treat
• A Christmas cracker and festive extras, subject to availability

Meals will be packed in suitable microwaveable containers, with storage and reheating instructions provided.

Please ensure that any dietary requirements are clearly recorded on the referral form. We will do our best to accommodate requirements within the options available, but we cannot guarantee that every dietary need or allergen restriction can be met.

How will the Christmas meals be distributed?

Meals will be prepared, cooked and packed by our team of volunteers ahead of distribution on 23 December 2026. The final collection and delivery arrangements, including timings, will be confirmed nearer the date.

Home delivery: Delivery is strictly prioritised for people who are unable to collect their meal because of medical conditions or significant mobility difficulties. We have a limited number of volunteer drivers, so we ask referring organisations to collect meals on behalf of their clients wherever possible.

Agency collection: Organisations and support workers are encouraged to collect meals for the people they have referred. This helps us reach more people who genuinely cannot collect independently.

Please ensure that the person receiving the meal knows the agreed collection or delivery arrangements and will be available. Due to the scale of the project and limited volunteer capacity, we may not be able to rearrange missed collections or deliveries.

Further details will be provided to referrers and recipients before distribution.

Referral opening and closing dates

• Referrals open: Monday 9 November 2026 at 9:00am.
• Referrals close: Friday 11 December 2026 at 4:30pm.
• Please note that referrals may close earlier if we reach our capacity of 350 meals.
• All referrals must be submitted through our online referral form by an organisation or agency working with the individual. We cannot accept referrals by email or telephone.

Thank you for helping us make Christmas special

This project would not be possible without the generosity of Alstom, whose funding helps us provide these meals, and the time and commitment of our volunteers and community partners.

By working together, we can help ensure that people who may otherwise face Christmas alone or without a festive meal receive practical support and a reminder that their community cares.

Thank you for helping Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance reach those who need us most.