Fair Frome Unwrapped for Christmas
- Daisy Steel
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Winter is always a pressure point for local charities, but this year the demand on Fair Frome is especially intense.
I spoke with Lenka Grimes, who leads the independent charity supporting people across Frome who are struggling with the effects of poverty. Fair Frome runs a wide range of practical, hands-on projects including the food bank, community pantry, furniture bank, baby basics, holiday lunches and Food at Five, which provides warm spaces and hot meals three evenings a week across town.
As Lenka explains, winter brings higher bills, colder homes and increased referrals. People facing job loss, benefit delays, rising rents and reduced council tax support are finding themselves needing help very quickly. Many are individuals living alone, pensioners both in town and the surrounding villages, and families feeling the squeeze of everyday costs.
A common misconception is that food banks serve only a small or fixed group. In reality, as Lenka puts it, most people are only a couple of steps away from needing support themselves.
Alongside ongoing services, Fair Frome is currently providing around 300 bespoke Christmas presents for children, all brand new and individually wrapped, as well as festive food alongside regular parcels. Volunteers have been working flat out to make sure families feel cared for at a time that can bring huge emotional pressure.
The charity has also stepped in to support residents affected by the Marigold Road fire, working closely with Selwood Housing, Frome Town Council and local partners. Practical help has included food, toiletries, furniture and essential household items, with the focus on getting people settled and supported as quickly as possible.
One message Lenka is keen to emphasise is that while generosity peaks in December, January and February are often when Fair Frome struggles the most. Donations of basic food items, furniture, white goods and financial support remain vital well beyond Christmas.
I also spoke with Emma Warren, who has long been involved with the Frome Christmas Get Together, now working in partnership with Fair Frome. The Christmas Day event has been running for over 15 years and offers a shared festive meal, conversation and company for anyone who wants to come along.
There is no criteria and no judgement. Guests and volunteers are treated equally, with first names only and a strong emphasis on connection rather than charity. For some people it’s their first Christmas alone, for others it’s a way to give back, escape loneliness, or simply spend the day with others.
As Emma says, Christmas can shine a light on what’s missing as much as what’s there. What the Christmas Get Together offers is something simple but powerful: warmth, welcome, and human connection. Nobody is turned away, transport is offered, and even those who arrive at the last minute are accommodated.
Together, Fair Frome and the Christmas Get Together show what Frome does best. Practical support, kindness without judgement, and a community willing to step in when it matters.
If you need help, Fair Frome encourages people to get in touch directly. If you can help, whether through donations, volunteering or spreading the word, that support will be felt long after the decorations come down.
You can find more information, donation links and updates via Fair Frome’s website and social channels.
You can hear Daisy's full unfiltered interviews with Lenka Grimes and Emma Warren on the latest episode of When in Frome Unfiltered. They go into much more detail about how support works locally, who it’s really for and how people can ask for - or offer - help. The episode is available to listen to here:
Fair Frome have had lots of people who’ve been in touch who would like to support their event before the day, which is really wonderful.
So they're hosting another Drop Off session on Saturday 20th December 2 - 3pm at the Elliott Building on Park Road (where the Fair Frome pantry is, behind the Town Hall Frome Town Council offices).
They would really appreciate high-quality, thoughtful and new items only please.
The Frome Christmas Get Together is offering a free sit down meal on Christmas Day at the Assembly Rooms, Christchurch Street West, BA11 1EB. Doors open at 11am, food will be served from midday until 2pm.
If you are a business and would like to have a Spotlight feature written about you and published on Fabulous Frome, please contact Becky on +44 7793 561696 or becky@fabulousfrome.co.uk. For prices, click here.
