Lend a helping hand this Christmas
There are many ways you can make a difference for those not at home in the festive period.
Christmas time can be an incredibly tough time of year for some people, for a whole host of reasons. Why not get into the festive spirit this year and support one of these fantastic charities and initiatives which help vulnerable people this Christmas?
Help a vulnerable young person through Centrepoint
An estimated 30,000 young people are facing homelessness this Christmas. There could be many causes behind a young person becoming homeless and the country's leading youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, works with them whatever their background and circumstances, to find them safe and stable accommodation, help build their confidence and teach learn them the skills they need to leave homelessness behind for good. Sadly, with the cold weather taking hold, the tumultuous Christmas period approaching and increased financial difficulties, thousands of young people need urgent help.
What can I do?
Through Centrepoint’s website you can make a one-off donation towards their Christmas Appeal. £10 will provide a young person with emergency food support, £20 will provide counselling, and £50 can provide the support of a Key Worker– or, you can choose your own donation amount. You can also spread the cheer by giving a Christmas gift to young people at Centrepoint on behalf of a loved one. Christmas dinners, clothing bundles, study kits, counselling sessions, a bed for the night – there are so many ways to help, however much you are able to donate.
Help people facing hunger through the Trussell Trust
As the country’s largest network of food banks, the Trussell Trust has a simple vision: of a UK where there’s no need for food banks, because everyone can afford food. Currently this winter is looking to be the most challenging the charity has ever faced, with an emergency food parcel is being given out every 13 seconds.
The Trust works with more than 1,200 food banks across the UK, providing nutritionally-balanced food to some of the 14 million people currently living in poverty. Donated food is sorted and checked by over 40,000 volunteers, before being given to people who have been identified as being in crisis. In addition to the emergency food supplies, volunteers also provide practical support and a friendly face for anyone using the food bank.
What can I do?
This year the Trussell Trust has launched its first ever emergency appeal. You can make a single donation of £25, £75 or £150, or set up monthly payments of £5, £10 or £5. You could also donate food and other goods at your local food bank, or even ask your friends and family to make a donation in lieu of Christmas presents this year.
If you are able to give your time, whether it’s a few days or a few hours, find out if there are any volunteering opportunities at your local food bank.
To find out more and locate your nearest food bank, visit the Trussell Trust Website
You can gift a Christmas dinner to a vulnerable young person through Centrepoint
Help end homelessness through Crisis at Christmas
Crisis is the national charity for homeless people in the UK. With 50 years behind it, the charity is at the forefront of leading a campaign against the growing problem of homelessness, working directly without thousands of people every year. Depending on the needs of the individual, Crisis provides a range of services including education, training and advice to both homeless people and housing professionals to help those already in need, and tackle the issues at the heart of the homelessness problem.
The charity, which is backed by a number of high-profile figures, runs a Christmas campaign every year. Thousands of volunteers are mobilised to provide extra support, including hosting an ‘Open Christmas’ at Crisis centres where people experiencing homelessness can receive food and shelter.
What can I do?
It’s easy to donate to Crisis at Christmas – one donation of £29.06 will provide a place to stay, hot meal, Christmas dinner and companionship for one homeless person at a Crisis Christmas centre.
You could also pay for a Crisis Kit to help someone take the first steps out of homelessness – starting from a Welcome Kit for just £10, all the way up to a Housing Kit for £250. You can also donate your unwanted goods – check online to see what’s on the wishlist at your local Crisis centre – or just donate what you can.
Find out more at the Crisis Website
Help protect survivors of domestic abuse
As the largest domestic abuse service provider in England, Refuge works tirelessly to provide safety and support to women and their children experiencing domestic abuse. Founded in 1971, the charity has 44 refuges across the country, providing emergency temporary shelter and specialist staff who provide support. Refuge also runs community support and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country.
More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.
Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 24) is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support.
What can I do?
The cost of living crisis is an added fear for those facing domestic abuse this Christmas, and Refuge is in need of donations. It's easy to make one-off or monthly donations through their website - £10 could pay for a mobile phone top up, £30 could pay for a taxi to help someone flee their abuser, and £52 would pay for a woman and her children to spend the night in a refuge.
You can also buy Christmas dinners and parcels for women and children who have fled abuse; fundraise, volunteer or give passively by signing up to donate when you shop online of even through a payroll giving scheme.
Find out more at Refuge - I want to support
Support local charities
In addition to the many nationwide charities providing help to those in need this Christmas, there are hundreds of amazing charities up and down the country which are all in desperate need of your support.
Persimmon supports a number of charities through our Community Champions initiative, through which each of our 31 regional businesses gives away up to £2,000 every month to local groups and charities. Visit our Community Champions page to see previous winners and find one to support in your local area, or submit an application for your charity via our online form.
To find out more, visit our Community Champions Page
None of the charities named above have any corporate affiliation with Persimmon Homes
