A Cambridge Riverside Christmas: giving back with Blue Smile

Now that the colder weather has settled in and the garden centres are sparkling with festive decorations, many of us are already feeling the magic of Christmas approaching. This year, we’re delighted to share a new and meaningful way for our Cambridge Riverside community to celebrate the season — by giving a gift that supports children right here in Cambridgeshire.

We’re partnering with Blue Smile, a local children’s mental health charity that provides specialist arts-based therapy and mental health support in schools across the county. Some of you may know Blue Smile already—both Jane and Joan have worked with the charity in the past through their support for primary school children. Based just along East Road, Blue Smile’s trained therapists deliver free support within schools, helping children understand and manage their emotions through creative therapy. Since its founding in 2010, the charity has worked with around 40 schools each year.

“Mental health has become an increasing concern over the last decade and we all know how important it is to give children the right support as early as possible,” Joan reflected. “It would be wonderful to do something special at this time of year for a unique charity that’s based on our doorstep and changing lives in our own local community.”

This Christmas, Blue Smile has shared a list of 50 items that would help them continue their essential work. Each item will be written onto a Christmas bauble and hung from the Christmas tree by the Concierge office from Monday, 1st December. If you’d like to take part, simply:

1. Pop into Newton Court foyer, choose a bauble or two and take it from the tree;

2. Purchase the item written on it; and

3. Place your gift under the Christmas tree.

Leaflets about Blue Smile will be beside the tree. Our concierge team will take care of all donated items to ensure they are kept safely.

To round off this festive initiative, a representative from Blue Smile will join us at our annual carol singing event to collect the gifts and thank residents for their generosity. We’re just finalising the details, but for now please pencil in 4 pm on Tuesday, 23rd December under the Darwin overhang. We’ll confirm everything very soon.

Let’s come together as a community this Christmas to support a wonderful organisation making a real difference to local children. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity—and we look forward to sharing the festive spirit with you throughout December!