Belonging takes work - our Festive message
Dear Friend
Belonging takes work.
It’s built brick by brick — like the foundations of a house. Often out of sight. Often slowly - but strong because people build it together.
Over the past year, this work has been particularly difficult and challenging.
As public debate has become harsher and uncertainty has deepened, many people have felt the ground shift beneath them. Even so, solidarity has remained — steady, practical and determined. It has taken shape in people sharing space, listening carefully, and standing alongside others, choosing in many different ways to engage with our work — through time, support and generosity.
At WERS, we’ve seen how these small, deliberate acts shape a community.
They create trust and make room for dignity. They remind us that what affects one part of our community ultimately affects us all.
This time of year can sharpen uncertainty as much as it brings moments of warmth.
What matters most is the groundwork laid throughout the year — relationships built on care, fairness and shared responsibility.
There is hope here. Not theoretical hope and not wishful thinking — but the kind that comes from believing in people.
In every single person who is building a future in our community through their actions, their resilience and their care for others.
And in people like you, whose support helps turn that belief into something real.
Change doesn’t arrive fully formed.
It happens inch by inch.
Conversation by conversation.
Decision by decision.
And when we work this way, we don’t just support individuals — we shape a better, stronger society for everyone.
Thank you for helping to build something that lasts.
If you’re celebrating Christmas, we wish you a peaceful one.
If you’re marking the festive period in other ways, or simply taking a pause, we wish you rest, warmth and a hopeful start to the year ahead.
In solidarity
Team WERS
Watch our festive video.
Some time ago, one of the people we work with told us they’d love to experience a Christmas dinner.
We felt there was no better opportunity to come together — to share food, conversation and time — than at this point in the year.