4 Ways to Help Those in Need over the Festive Period
Although many of us are looking forward to celebrating and gift giving with family and friends this Christmas, there are many who see this time of the year as a difficult and lonely time. Those without families, who have been abused, or live in extreme poverty will not see Christmas in the same eyes as those more fortunate.
However, there are projects to support and things which we can do to make the festive season brighter for those in need, and give their Christmas a little more warmth with the meaningful gestures. Christmas after all is about giving, and what better way to really portray this than by volunteering.
If you are looking to go further to make Christmas special for others in need, here are some suggestions below to spread goodwill.
1. Give a child in care a book
Christmas can be a particularly tough time for children in care. For many of these children that book will be the first time they receive anything through the post. And for some of them the gift will be the first book they have owned. £10 covers the cost of sending one child one book. Donate here.
2. Donate groceries to a food bank
The queues at the country’s food banks don’t drop off at this time of year. The Trussell Trust food bank charity warns that many people will have to choose between eating and heating on Christmas Day. A spokesperson says: “We know that providing three-days emergency food supplies and some additional treats will not make someone’s Christmas, but it will provide them with something to eat, and remind them that they are not alone or forgotten.”
It’s getting close to Christmas so it could be best to drop donations directly at a centre if you can, rather than supermarket drop-spots.
You can find your nearest food bank here.
3. Buy a homeless person lunch
When you sit down to a massive Christmas meal, it would feel pretty good to know that you’re also treating someone else to the same. The beauty of donating to the Crisis Christmas appeal is that it does far more than provide Christmas dinner to someone living on the streets.
It provides hot, nutritious food for more than 4,700 people over nine days, giving them somewhere to socialise and celebrate the season.
On top of that, it brings them together with advisers who can talk about housing, benefits, finances, legal matters and employment. They can access healthcare, dental treatment, even hairdressers and massage treatments. You can reserve a place for someone to access all this support and Christmas dinner for just £26.08. Donate here.
4. Provide a safe bed for a young person
Homelessness is a particularly cruel problem; young people often become homeless because it is safer to leave than to stay. Centre Point provides safe bedrooms and support for homeless young people, providing a safe place to live, health assessments, support and starts them on a path to independence and a job. For £18 you could fund a safe place to stay this Christmas for a vulnerable young person. Donate here.