While many families are decorating their trees and wrapping last-minute presents, Halifax based founder of Santa’s Magic Chimney, Martina Woodworth, is delivering something far more powerful to those who need it most this Christmas: hope and magic.
Thousands of children in the UK[1] spending time in hospital over the festive period, and Martina is determined to make sure as many of them as possible still feel the wonder of Christmas. The former specialist advisory teacher has spent decades supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs and created Santa’s Magic Chimney as a calming family ritual for her own children.
This year, Martina has taken that ritual beyond the living room and into the places where Christmas can feel completely out of reach. Delivered in partnership with Jingles All The Way CIC and supported by volunteers, Santa’s Magic Chimney has been appearing in children’s wards, family accommodation and hostels so that children who are not at home this Christmas still get a moment of wonder.
Each handcrafted, elf sized chimney becomes the heart of a simple December tradition where children write letters, post them “through the flames” to Santa, and end the day with a moment of connection. It is designed to slow everything down, help regulate big feelings, and remind children that they are safe, loved and remembered, wherever they are.
To date, Santa’s Magic Chimney has been delivered to Coventry Children’s Hospital with support from Liz Baitson BEM of High Net Connect, North Tees Hospital and James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with Sara Noel of Get Ready to Rise and volunteer Santa James Hopper of StrHive, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust with Kristy Hodges of The Clarity Queen, and Ronald McDonald House Manchester. Chimneys have also reached Shine Within in Mixenden, a creative wellbeing programme for women and families founded by Mandy O’Shea, as well as women’s refuges and safe accommodation supporting families displaced by domestic abuse, with locations withheld for safeguarding reasons. In addition, families living in temporary accommodation, including hostels and emergency housing have received Santa’s Magic Chimney.
Martina comments: “Last week we donated a Santa’s Magic Chimney to Ronald McDonald House Manchester and ran a Letter to Santa activity. One of the young people we met had been staying there for months while she received treatment. We wrote her letter together for a coloring book, princess dolls and makeup, and although she could not walk she was determined to post it herself, so we moved her wheelchair to the chimney. She then asked to go outside to see if she could see it going to Santa. As she looked up at the sky she said, ‘Has it gone to Santa?’ and at that moment it started to snow. Her whole face lit up, and that’s why we do this. It is not about presents, it is about magic, connection and making sure every child has a Christmas filled with joy.”
Martina concludes: “We know that for families who aren’t spending Christmas at home, it can be an incredibly emotional time and one where making positive memories is tough. I hope that simple, thoughtful experiences like Santa’s Magic Chimney give parents and children a chance to pause, play and feel some of the magic they might otherwise miss. I like to think we have made a difference to many families this festive season and we’ve only just begun.”
The Magic Chimney is made from sustainable Paulownia wood and designed to become a family heirloom, used year after year. Hundreds of UK families have already joined the tradition, sharing new moments of connection and festive joy.
Martina Woodworth, founder of ’Twas The Night Before Ltd and creator of Santa’s Magic Christmas, is a former specialist teacher with decades of experience in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and a lifelong believer in the power of storytelling.
All information is at Santa’s Magic Chimney: www.santasmagicchimney.co.uk