CHRISTMAS is often a time spent with family and friends, playing games, eating food and watching festive specials on TV.

But this can feel very different when loved ones are far from home, whether children have newly divorced parents, or they are on military service, or the family is coping with a bereavement.

Happy Spuds have come to the rescue, as four siblings who launched a life skills club for children reveal how they cope with the Christmas period.

The Crapper family, from Everleigh, began Happy Spuds after going through their parents’ divorce and now organise activity groups where children can talk about their struggles growing up while trying out new hobbies such as yoga, African drumming, football and boxing.

The group have shared their tips for making it through Christmas Day without any arguments and suggested how the community can come together at Christmas.

Natasha, seven, who goes to Rushall Primary School said: “There are quite a few games you can play at Christmas with your family like Monopoly and Connect Four and it is also nice to make decorations as a family.

“If you have someone with you on Christmas Day be grateful for that because some people don’t ever get to see their family.”

Sister Heidi, 10, who also goes to Rushall Primary, said: “We have been separated at this time of year but my advice is telephone or text your parents every day.

“Try to support the people you are with too as much as yourself to make the most of the day, even if some family members are away.

“There are thousands of homeless people too.

At Christmas it is nice to give them some soup and a blanket because it is freezing outside. It is nice to make sure people are happy at Christmas.”

Austin, 11, who goes to Lavington School with his brother Lawrence added: “In school we were told that nine million people in the UK are lonely at Christmas.

“What you can do on Christmas Day is go round to your neighbour and say Merry Christmas to them to make them happy.

“Some people are not lonely because they are homeless, some are widows or live alone but if they were to get involved in Christmas they might make new friends and have some fun so they won’t be lonely.”

The children have already begun planning a new set of fun events for their activity club in 2018.

The aim of Happy Spuds is to encourage children to talk about issues with a range of problems including bullying, self-image and confidence to allow them to face the normal challenges of growing up.

Mother Debbie has encouraged families to work together to talk to their children about any issues and revealed that through physical and creative activities, Happy Spuds has seen children open up about day-to-day issues.

Looking back at what they have already achieved through Happy Spuds, Lawrence, 11, said: “I have enjoyed working with families who have come in sad and seeing everyone by the end with a big grin on their faces.”

Contact Happy Spuds on debbie.crapper@googlemail.com or visit www.happyspuds.com for more information about classes.