Friday 8th May is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War. In previous years, people all across Europe have celebrated with street parties, festivals and commemorative church services. Whilst these cannot be done this year due to social distancing measures, there are still plenty of ways in which we can celebrate.
Many organisations, groups and charities are bringing their celebrations online and into homes by offering free resources and running live events. These can allow us to commemorate and enjoy VE Day safely, but not completely separately from one another.
Bring out the red, white and blue
A fun way to celebrate is by pulling out all the stops and decorating the house in red, white and blue. You can hang up bunting or a Union Jack if you have them or get creative and make your decorations. Here’s a great guide on how you can make your own bunting at home (and where you can buy them if you want!)
Have a tea party
Set up your own tea party in your front garden or living room with all your family. Sitting down with a some tea and cake, music and a few family games is a fun and easy way to celebrate. Dressing for tea is highly recommended, so don’t be shy and dress to impress!
Need a bit of inspiration? Follow the VE Day Virtual Party on Facebook, which is running online celebrations from Friday to Sunday.
Join in with a sing-a-long
What’s a celebration without music? You can find some wonderful music from the 1940s for free on YouTube, however, we recommend joining the Royal Voluntary Service’s VE Day sing-a-long to really get into the spirit and enjoy a sense of community.
Explore the history of VE Day
VE Day isn’t just a day of celebration, it’s a day of remembrance too. Why not take the chance to learn more about the Second World War, how it ended and why we have celebrated VE Day ever since? There are plenty of fun learning resources available online, suitable for little ones, older children and all the family!
Share your celebrations
Thanks to social media, we can stay connected with one another despite being physically apart. On VE Day, post your celebrations to social media so you can share how you and your loved ones are enjoying the day with your friends and family.
Show your support to the Armed Forces
VE Day is a great opportunity to learn more about the Armed Forces and find out how you can support veterans in your communities. Southway is dedicated to supporting ex-servicemen and women as they return to civilian live. We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge that we will support veterans in finding employment opportunities and access affordable housing.