• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Thursday December 21 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Packaging firm GWP supports loneliness charity’s Christmas initiative for second year

Wiltshire-based packaging manufacturer GWP is once again helping the Marmalade Trust, the Bristol-based loneliness charity, to cheer up Christmas for hundreds of local people.

Having worked with the Trust for the charity’s Christmas Cheer initiative in 2022, the Wiltshire-based packaging business has again donated hundreds of cardboard boxes for this year’s project. The boxes will be decorated and filled with gifts by the charity’s volunteers and then distributed to individuals experiencing loneliness during the festive period.

The Christmas Cheer initiative, which reached 200 people throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset last year, aims to engage those who feel particularly lonely and isolated.

It involves providing a hamper full of goodies and doorstep visits by volunteers on Christmas Day. The charity also funds Christmas Day meals in pubs and restaurants. Support is targeted at those who would otherwise be alone over Christmas and on the day itself.

Martin Green, regional director at the Marmalade Trust, commented: “With so much celebrating, gifts, food and festive cheer, it is sometimes easy to overlook how difficult Christmas can be for someone who is struggling with loneliness. For some people, Christmas can be a dreaded, sad and lonely time.“

“We don’t want anyone to spend Christmas Day alone if they don’t want to. So having support from businesses such as GWP is a great help and enables us to reach more people during this time.”

David Mason, sales director at GWP Packaging, commented: “We were proud to be able to help The Marmalade Trust in 2022, but loneliness doesn’t go away, so it made complete sense to continue our support for the important work the charity undertakes.

“The Christmas period can be particularly challenging for anyone experiencing loneliness, which is why the support for anyone experiencing this is so vital.“

Founded in 2013, the charity undertakes various projects to identify people most at risk of experiencing loneliness in society. It also helps them to find ongoing support and encourages them to make new connections and friendships.

In addition to the ongoing support for The Marmalade Trust, GWP supports several other community groups. The packaging manufacturer, part of Macfarlane Group PLC, has a strong relationship with The Swindon Food Collective (formerly Swindon Foodbank), sponsors the Cricklade Band, and has supplied cardboard Christmas trees for local children to decorate.

David continued: “We have many longstanding relationships with local groups and charities. So we understand the importance of supporting our local community and organisations like The Marmalade Trust, and we will always try to assist where we can.“

GWP employs over 100 people across two sites at Cricklade and Salisbury, designing and manufacturing a wide range of bespoke packaging products.

Pictured: GWP-donated boxes being decorated by volunteers at the Marmalade Trust

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