Driven by their own experiences in care, Shalyce Lawrence and Jerome Harvey-Agyei co-founded The Topé Project to provide the first "Christmas Day" event for young people who would otherwise be alone. In commemoration of their friend Topé the event aimed to bring together care leavers, create positive memories and inspire them. As Jerome reflects "when you leave care, that's when you realise life is only going to get scarier. And Christmas is the day when you're reminded you don't have a family." For both Shalyce and Jerome it's was more than just a meal; it’s about fostering change and providing the "over-nurturing", the care, connection and community that every care leaver deserves.
The poet, memoirist playwright curator and broadcaster Lemn Sissay, envisioned the Gold from the Stone Foundation. With a mission to ensure no young care leaver feels alone on Christmas Day GFTS supports communities of volunteers across the UK to create extraordinary Christmas Dinners which gift the joy of belonging. The Christmas Dinners offer a warm welcome, a beautifully prepared meal, gifts, hairdressing, creative activities, entertainment, and above all a sense of belonging, to those who may otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.
Since 2013, there have been 155 Christmas Dinners in 35 towns and cities, reaching 7,500 care-experienced young people. However, there has not be an event in Brighton & Hove for our Care Experienced young people for over 7 years. Support us in making this a reality in Brighton & Hove on Christmas Day 2026 and onwards.
