We Are Here Scotland Asks Aberdeen to Host a Christmas to Remember

Yes, it's early in the year, but there is good reason for dropping a Christmas sparkle into your feed during the summer. We Are Here Scotland first announced its ambition to bring a Christmas Day Dinner to Aberdeen last year, for care-experienced young people aged 18 to 25. Since then, the charity has been working behind the scenes to make it happen, and that work has paid off: a venue is now confirmed for 25 December 2026, backed by charitable and council funding. A room and a date are only the start.

That’s where you might come in.

We Are Here Scotland needs volunteers. There’s a steering group to join for anyone who wants a hand in planning the dinner. There’s the run-up, where volunteers are needed for fundraising, gifts, decorations, food and transport. And on the day itself, they need hosts to keep things warm and relaxed for the young people arriving.

WAHS is happy to receive help from anyone. All of it counts. Employed, self-employed, students, retirees, local businesses, community workers, creatives, or just someone with a few hours free in December. No previous experience is needed, and no particular sector is being targeted.

“We want to create a welcoming and memorable Christmas when no young person feels alone,” says Ica Headlam of We Are Here Scotland. “In order to make this reality, we need the Aberdeen community and many more to help make this happen. Please help us to create a Christmas dinner filled with care, dignity, and joy.”

Plenty of care-experienced young people spend Christmas without the built-in support most people rely on without thinking about it. One dinner won’t fix the systemic issue, but it can still be a special day to remember. That takes a fair few hands to organise.

How to get involved

The dinner happens on 25 December. If you can spare time before then, or on the day itself, you can register your interest in joining the steering group, volunteering, or hosting through the We Are Here Scotland website.