When Mel, our Marketing & Social Value manager, used one of her volunteering days to support Strictly Saint Francis, she got to experience the event from both sides: helping behind the scenes and watching the performances come to life.
Here, Mel shares her experience of an afternoon filled with dancing, community spirit and support for our nominated London charity partner, Saint Francis Hospice. Established over 40 years ago, Saint Francis Hospice provides expert palliative and end-of-life care to people living with a serious, life-limiting illness across Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Brentwood and parts of West Essex.
Mel’s Strictly Experience
It was a damp October afternoon, with Storm Bolero threatening to make its presence felt, as I set off for the Saint Francis Hospice charity event, Strictly Saint Francis. Saint Francis Hospice is the nominated charity partner for TP Fire & Security, and I was delighted to use one of my volunteering days to support this wonderful cause and be part of such a special event.
I was there for two reasons: firstly, as a guest to enjoy the show, and secondly, as a volunteer, ready to lend a helping hand behind the scenes. It was a lovely opportunity to give something back, support our nominated charity partner and see first-hand the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved in making the event a success.
TP Fire & Security offers employees three days of paid volunteering leave, giving us the time to support causes that matter to us and make a positive difference in the communities where we live and work. It’s one of the ways the company puts its commitment to social value into action, helping to build connections and support worthwhile causes beyond our day-to-day work.
The venue was The Brentwood Centre. From the outside, there was little to hint at the magic that was about to unfold, and as I stepped inside, the unmistakable smell of chlorine from the swimming pool greeted me. The huge sports hall lay ahead, looking every bit the ordinary leisure centre space. It was hard to imagine how this vast, rather uninspiring room would soon be transformed into a glittering stage for an afternoon of entertainment, emotion and celebration.
But first, there was work to be done!
My volunteering duties began with helping to set out tables and chairs, dressing them with all things sparkly, before heading behind the scenes to help organise information and programmes. Slowly but surely, the preparations began to take shape, and the excitement in the air was building.
Amid all the preparations, it was also lovely to meet some of the key workers from Saint Francis Hospice and hear a little more about the incredible work they do. It was a wonderful reminder of the people at the heart of the charity and the difference their care and support make to so many families. I also had the pleasure of catching up with Nooranna, the Corporate Partnerships Manager, which was a lovely opportunity to reconnect and share in the excitement of the day. It was great to see everyone coming together with such enthusiasm and passion for this very special cause.
Meanwhile, rehearsals were in full swing in the main hall. The dancers, determined to perfect every step, were making use of every available inch of corridor space to practise, practise and practise again! Music filled the air, feet were tapping, and I soon found myself tapping along too.
I managed to chat with a few of the dancers, who, understandably, were feeling nervous about the performance ahead. But when I asked them why they had chosen to take part, their answers really touched my heart. Behind the sequins, smiles and carefully rehearsed routines were some incredibly moving and uplifting stories. Each dancer had their own reason for stepping onto that dance floor, and hearing those stories brought home just how much this event meant to everyone involved.
This was about so much more than dancing. It was about people coming together, sharing their experiences, supporting a cause close to their hearts and raising vital funds for the wonderful Saint Francis Hospice.
And then there was the glamour!
Hair and make-up, fabulous costumes, glitter, sparkle and plenty of last-minute preparations filled the corridors. Everywhere I looked, there were reminders to “smile and be fabulous”. To be honest, I don’t think anyone needed reminding! The smiles were already there, and fabulous was certainly the order of the day.
As the afternoon progressed, I popped back into the main hall, and what a transformation had taken place! The once-ordinary sports hall had been given a whole new lease of life. The tables were dressed, the sparkle was shining, and the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. It was wonderful to see all the hard work coming together.
Guests began to arrive, and I switched back into volunteer mode, helping to welcome people and guide them to their seats. There was a real sense of excitement as everyone settled in, ready for the show to begin.
And then… the magic happened!
It Was Showtime!
What followed was an afternoon of incredible dancing, amazing performances and more than a few moments to remember. The nerves, the rehearsals, the costumes, the music and all those hours of practice had come together beautifully. Every performance was a reminder of the courage, commitment and sheer determination of those taking part.
And knowing that it was all in aid of such a wonderful charity made every moment even more special.
A huge well done to everyone who helped bring Strictly Saint Francis to life. From the dancers and organisers to the volunteers working behind the scenes, every contribution helped make the event such a success.
A special congratulations to Mercedes, who performed the American Smooth and Salsa before lifting the magnificent Glitter Ball Trophy! Mercedes took on her biggest challenge in honour of her mum and proudly represented the Saint Francis Hospice retail team. What a wonderful achievement!
With over 800 people attending and £43,000 raised so far, the event was a celebration of what can be achieved when people come together to support a cause close to their hearts.
As I reflected on the day, I realised that what had started as a damp October afternoon had turned into something truly uplifting. There was glitter, glamour, music and dancing, but at the heart of it all was kindness, community and a shared desire to make a difference.
Sometimes, the most ordinary spaces can become the setting for something extraordinary. On this particular October afternoon, The Brentwood Centre certainly proved that to be true.
We’re proud to support Saint Francis Hospice and the care it provides to local people and their families. Thank you to Mel for sharing her experience, and to everyone who gave their time and energy to make Strictly Saint Francis such a memorable event.
To find out more about the work of Saint Francis Hospice and how you can support them, visit their website.
