Long standing local business woman, Simona Massa, takes the lead in a wonderful Christmas project – The Wimbledon Elf Initiative to give the local Foodbank and families in need a boost during these trying times.
Simona tells Darling Editor Karine Torr: Like a lot of people at the moment I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and asking myself: How can I put this time to good use? Can any of my skills make a difference? And what are the things that are important to me?
In the not so distant past, my life as a small high street business owner was overrun with excitement, uncertainty and pressure. As much as I loved my salons in Wimbledon Village and Raynes Park and I am thankful for the experiences they gave me and the things they have taught me, I thank my lucky stars that I had closed my business before this pandemic hit. I can only imagine the pain, stress and anguish that this current situation has had on all small business owners and have the greatest respect for all of the heart breaking decisions that they are having to make, especially this close to the festive season.
A new direction in life
My life had changed somewhat just before the pandemic hit. I joined the Lantern Arts Theatre Company, finally having time for something other than work. I had forgotten how much performing and being part of a community like the Lantern can enhance your wellbeing and mental health. With support from the amazing team at the Lantern I was offered a position as Children’s Theatre Associate and am now training to become a Teaching Assistant. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by community specialists such as teachers, youth leaders and community leaders as well as seasoned actors and artists. They work together using the Arts to support the artistic and local community (all on a volunteer basis).
During this pandemic I have realised the instability of charity run community theatres. No performances mean there is no revenue and very little financial support for the programmes within the community. Not being able to be part of that community leaves a void.
Things that are important to me: Community, the Arts and Supporting Small Business
Three years ago I was fortunate to be asked to be the Wimbledon Village Elf in the Wimbledon Village Christmas Shopping Day Parade. A job offered to me by the Wimbledon Village Business Association and Village Stables, which I was proud to undertake because it incorporates all the things that are important to me. This year, due to the pandemic restrictions, there will be no parade. But all three of those things still need support!
Thus the Wimbledon Elf Initiative was conceived.
Together with the support and participation of my fellow Lantern performers, administrators and technicians, as well as local business and community leaders, under the guise of Elves, we will endeavour to spread a little joy, generosity and community spirit.
Supporting Wimbledon Food Bank
Every part of our society has been hit horrendously by this pandemic, but none more than families. According to the Trussell Trust (Wimbledon Food Bank), there are 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK and it is estimated that 1 in 5 mothers go without a meal to ensure their children have eaten. These numbers, due to the current economic instability, are inevitably growing and there are no real statistics for the families that are ‘Just About Managing’. The families that are supported by the self-employed, where their sector has been devastated and have now exhausted their reserves, or by parents on zero hour contracts that have had their hours reduced and government schemes don’t kick in quickly enough for them to be able to pay their rent.
Our Aim
By using our entertainment skills (and a few snazzy costumes), our aim is to encourage our local community to support families in need as well as local businesses that support our cause. We will also be working with local schools and the Wimbledon Foodbank, to pinpoint families under severe financial pressure. We aim to alleviate some of the pressures of Christmas by procuring Christmas gifts for their Children and Supermarket Vouchers so that they may enjoy a Christmas dinner.
Over the next few weeks the Wimbledon Elf Initiative aim to collect 1500 new, boxed Christmas gifts for under 16s and £5000 for the Wimbledon Food Bank Christmas Dinner Appeal. Drop your gifts directly to the Elves on Saturdays at the Wimbledon Artisan Market – Wimbledon Rugby Club, or on Sundays at the Wimbledon Village Farmers Market. You can also drop them off Monday to Friday at their Christmas Gift Drop Boxes located at the Wimbledon Village Stables or Babylon Cafe, Raynes Park. All donations should be made to:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wimbledonelfinitiative?utm_term=a2dnn3NYb.
Photography Taylor Torr www.taylortorr.com
