Today, Kimpton Fitzroy London has announced its Christmas campaign, Never Wanted To Leave, in support of Coram, the UK’s oldest children’s charity. The campaign centres around a reimagined hotel guestbook, featuring powerful entries from people of all ages who have experienced and since transitioned out of the care system.
Each year, around 12,000 young people leave the care system in the UK at the age of 18. For those young people, this marks the beginning of a challenging journey into adulthood and the pressures that go with it, often without any of the support systems that others might take for granted.
As Kimpton Fitzroy London wanted to make a difference this Christmas, the campaign has been created to draw attention to and support Coram’s wider work with this group of young people. As a result, Never Wanted To Leave will be live in the Bloomsbury-based hotel from 19th November.
At the heart of the campaign is the Never Wanted to Leave guestbook, reimagining the traditional hotel guestbook but with a deeply personal twist. Each page looks and feels like an entry from a real hotel guest, but is instead a first-person account from someone who has recently left the care system – with some entries exerted directly from children’s rights organisation, Coram Voice. The guestbook also includes a foreword from Actor and Coram Champion for Children, Peter Capaldi, who hopes that “these powerful stories move you to support Coram’s work in helping more children this Christmas.”
Guests and visitors to Kimpton Fitzroy London, are invited to sign the guestbook too and leave a message of support to Coram and the young people it supports. On doing so they can make a donation of their choice to Coramby purchasing a beautifully designed Christmas bauble for £25, the proceeds of which will all go directly to Coram.
Garreth Walsh, General Manager at Kimpton Fitzroy London, added, “Partnering with Coram has a special resonance for us, given our shared roots in the heart of Bloomsbury. This campaign not only enriches our Christmas celebrations but also invites our guests to engage with a cause deeply connected to the community around us. Never Wanted To Leave allows us to share these powerful stories and support Coram’s invaluable work.”
Dr. Carol Homden CBE, Chief Executive at Coram, said, “Never Wanted To Leave is more than a collection of stories; it’s a powerful testament to the resilience, strength, and courage of young care leavers. This partnership with Kimpton Fitzroy London is helping to bring their voices to light, ensuring they’re heard and supported, especially at a time of year that can feel challenging for those without family.”
Never Wanted To Leave is part of Kimpton Fitzroy London’s wider Christmas celebrations, transforming the hotel into a space that not only celebrates the season but also gives back to those in need. Through this partnership, the hotel and its guests can help Coram continue its important work, providing care and guidance for young people as they step into adulthood.
For more information about Never Wanted To Leave and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.kimptonfitzroylondon.com/never-wanted-to-leave or contact hello@kimptonfitzroylondon.com.
