11 CHARITIES TO SUPPORT THIS CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a time for giving, and helping others in any way we can. If you have anything to spare, there are causes that need support more than ever this year, as COVID has disrupted so many people’s lives. I’ve put together some charities whose mission means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll consider donating to those that resonate with you.
Many people like supporting the Salvation Army at Christmas, and with good reason. This organisation, which has chapters throughout the UK and Ireland, works towards so many incredible causes in the community with youth and children, homelessness, older people, employment and more. At Christmas, your donation could provide a box filled with food and modest gifts for a family in need.
Crisis works year-round towards one goal: ending homelessness across England, Scotland and Wales. They help the homeless find housing, as well as carrying out research into the causes of homelessness and campaigning for better laws. If you donate the suggested amount, it could provide one person who is homeless with community support, food and festive treats, temporary housing and education resources.
SECRET SANTA VIA ACTION FOR CHILDREN
With this lovely initiative, you can choose whether to become someone’s secret Santa, or use your gift to make a loved one a secret Santa for a vulnerable child in the UK. In a time when child poverty is on the rise, your donation will help ensure a child is warm, safe and fed this Christmas.
With each donation, BookTrust sends a book parcel to a child for Christmas to brighten their holiday. A gift that keeps on giving to help them develop a love of reading, and escape into a lovely story.
With the Choose Love shop, you buy an emergency item like warm winter clothes and shoes, clean and safe water or hot food, and it is then delivered to a refugee or displaced person. A powerful approach to Christmas gifting.
Women’s Aid is at the forefront of domestic violence response, working to empower women and children survivors to take back their lives.
This important organisation connects Black individuals and families with free mental health services led by Black therapists. They work to remove stigma and improve access to these resources.
Akt supports LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 who are facing homelessness or living in a hostile home to find safe housing, as well as employment, education, training and community. Initiatives like this are so important because sadly many LGBTQ+ youth are not supported by their families when they come out, and need to find support elsewhere.
The Trussell Trust works with the understanding that people shouldn’t have to rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families. While the food banks are still needed, they work with a wide network of them locally, helping to bring emergency food and supplies to those in need, while campaigning for policy change that would support the most vulnerable in a more sustainable way.
FareShare has the double mission of fighting hunger and tackling food waste. They save tonnes of food from going to waste and redistribute it to charities across the UK, including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes.
Rough sleeping has been a huge problem in London in recent years, and COVID has only made things worse. Rhythms of Life serves hot food, sandwiches and snacks to the homeless in central London every evening, as well as providing them with toiletries, sleeping bags and other essentials.