Annual
Gift Back with Team London Bridge
A much-loved tradition in the London Bridge calendar, ‘Gift Back’, our Team London Bridge gift donation campaign, gives our business community a chance to spread Christmas cheer to neighbours who might otherwise miss out on the festivities. In 2026, it’s growing beyond the festive collection to include large scale surplus donations and workplace giving drives.
About
Each November and December, our network of workplace “elves” encourage colleagues to buy an extra gift for our Gift Back appeal. Then, with a burst of energy (and plenty of pedal-powered deliveries), even more generous members of our business community join forces to deliver, sort, and wrap the presents, ready to be sent to local charities.
This year, 3,059 gifts were delivered to seven small and local organisations: Bede House, One Southwark, South London Mission, South London Refugee Association, Southwark Care Leavers, Stones End Day Centre, and Time & Talents. Across the wider campaign, including surplus stock donations from business partners, Gift Back supported 22 charities and community groups in total, generating an estimated £38,000 in economic value for the people who received them.
“As usual it leaves me feeling humbled when I see the depth of generosity and care people place for others within our BID. Thank you and to all who make this happen. There is certainly more good than bad on our planet.” Winnie Baffoe, Director of Engagement and Influence, South London Mission
How to get involved
Whether you’re a big business or a small team, we’d love you to be part of Gift Back 2026.
For employees:
- Collect gifts – Rally your colleagues to donate gifts during the campaign dates. We’ll provide a resource pack with posters, gift ideas, photos, and ready-to-use emails to help you spread the word.
- Volunteer with your team – as part of your workplace collection, why not set up an afternoon or lunchtime volunteering/social opportunity in your communal areas for your colleagues to come together, help make the gifts look the part and then drop them off at our Santa’s Grotto, just outside London Bridge station.
- Volunteer your time as an individual – help us sort through all the gifts and make sure they match what’s on each charity’s wish list before we send them off.
For businesses:
- Donate surplus stock – new, quality goods including end of line products and previous season inventory.
Sponsor a category of essential items – help us guarantee that a specific need, like coats or toiletries, is covered. - Donate vouchers – a flexible option where physical stock isn’t the right fit.
- Use your volunteer days – our charity partners regularly welcome business volunteers for hands on roles, from event support to helping sort and wrap.
- Become an official Gift Back Partner – join a growing network of businesses driving change together.
- Subsidise team meals or away days – The hard work that charity team members dedicate to the cause can often be overlooked. Help us thank them and boost morale by subsidising a team meal or away day.
It’s a simple, meaningful way to show your stakeholders you’re giving back locally, and together, we can make a bigger difference in our community.
A Gift’s Journey: GiftBack 2025
This short film captures what the campaign is all about, neighbours supporting neighbours. Produced with thanks to The Shard, it follows the journey of a single gift from generous donation, to careful wrapping, to its final heartfelt delivery.
It’s a simple act of kindness, but one that brings real warmth and joy to local residents across the London Bridge community.
