Due to the cost of living crisis, families around the UK are struggling this Christmas and need support more than ever.
Here are ways you can provide the much needed support and donate to those affected this year.
Crisis
Crisis is the UK national charity supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Every year the Crisis at Christmas appeal provides support to people experiencing homelessness at Christmas.
According to Crisis, nearly a quarter of a million households across England are now experiencing the ‘worst forms’ of homelessness.
Last year Crisis provided hotel accommodation, hub services, food and wellbeing packs for 3,483 people who were experiencing homelessness last Christmas.
This year, Crisis will be taking over three hotels across London that will accommodate more than 400 people who would otherwise be sleeping rough over Christmas.
This Christmas you can donate directly to Crisis, 1 gift of £29.73 could give someone who’s homeless help with a safe place to stay, hot meals and a Christmas dinner, access to health and wellbeing programmes, and support to leave homelessness behind for good.
You can also buy urgently needed items directly from their online wishlist or create a virtual Crisis Christmas stocking from meaningful gifts that could help someone start their life beyond homelessness.
For more information on donating and how to support, visit the Crisis page here.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s is a children’s charity that protects and supports children and young people in the UK.
Barnardo’s Christmas Appeal asks for donations to help raise vital funds to help the most vulnerable families feel warm, fed and supported in the festive season and beyond.
As the cost of living crisis continues, many parents can no longer afford a hot meal or heating this winter.
According to Barnardo’s, one in four families will struggle to put food on the table this Christmas.
With your donation, Barnardo’s can help children living in poverty, making sure they are warm and well-fed, and can sleep safely in their own bed.
They can also provide ongoing support through the means of helping to find suitable accommodation, and providing access to longer term financial advice to set them up for a better future.
To donate and find out more about how your contribution will help, find Barnardo’s Christmas appeal here.
Salvation Army
This year the Salvation Army is providing Christmas lunches and companionship to older people living alone, giving Christmas food parcels to families who are struggling to afford a proper Christmas lunch, and distributing toys to children whose parents are unable to afford presents this Christmas.
Last year, the Salvation Army distributed more than 76,000 gifts and this year are expecting the number of families requesting help to rise as a result of the cost of living crisis.
This year you can help the Salvation Army by donating to their Christmas Appeal.
You can donate toys for children who might not otherwise receive gifts this year through the Christmas Present Appeal.
To find out more on how to donate follow the link here.
BookTrust
BookTrust is a UK children’s reading charity dedicated to getting children reading.
BookTrust wants to deliver book parcels to food banks across the country to make sure that, as well as food on the table, children have presents under the tree.
They are also hoping to deliver books to children in care, who may be spending their first Christmas in an unfamiliar home.
The festive book parcels include an illustrated bookmark and poster plus a heartfelt letter from an author.
To find out more on how to donate and support, follow this link.
Age UK
Age UK is the leading charity for older people.
According to Age UK, thousands of older people will spend Christmas Day alone.
1 million older people were alone on Christmas last year and over 4 million older people live alone.
By donating you are helping keep open Age UKs friendship call line, providing friendship calls supporting older people on their hardest days.
You can find more info here.
Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash
