Evening Poppets! So as you obviously know Christmas is coming! (Eeeeep!
And it's November so I'm officially allowed to say that) I don't want to be preachy and
say how well off we all are, as I know everyone faces struggles of different sorts but as everyone reading this will have internet access and a phone to
check it on, we really are very lucky and there is a lot of people who
aren't. So every year I always like to share these fun things to do that can
make a huge difference to someone else, I know a lot of you always do wonderful
things for charities and other people which makes you absolute stars! But if you've
ever fancied doing any of these or remember me posting it previous years and
were wondering what the details were here's a rather long post (sorrrrrry) on a
few Christmassy charities and how to get involved spreading a little Christmas cheer this year...
First
up is a new social action campaign aiming to spread a little festive love to
the homeless and rough sleepers on the streets of Birmingham started by a
wonderful girl I know, Kerry, Who had this fabulous idea.
Having
just got back from San Francisco where there is a huge homeless population
which was genuinely heartbreaking to see. I'm so excited that there are people like Kerry who want to make a difference. I know there are people who have the opinion that its their own 'fault' or 'choice' but while I respect other peoples opinions I just can't get my head around that one, if that's the 'better' option for them then how bad were the other options. I can't see many people wanting to live that life if they had a choice. At the end of the day you don't know how or why people are in the situation they are in and I'm glad I can do something for even just one person who may not have a lot else this
Christmas. This campaign is so easy to get involved in! Below is a brief
description from their Facebook page
"Taking inspiration from various
'Operation Shoe Box' initiatives, it struck me that shoe boxes are quite tricky
to carry around with you if you're homeless, so I'm hoping to try something
different.
Remember those drawstring bags
you had as a child for P.E. - instead of a shoe box this year choose to fill
one of those with small essential and luxury items. Then myself and team of
volunteers will distribute the bags to those on the streets. the bags can be
reused after the initial items run out, and are easy for people to carry with
them."
Such a simple idea that could mean so much to someone this Christmas, not only for the basic essential items they otherwise not have but to know your in someones thoughts. If you and a friend are stuck on what to get each other maybe you could both have a go at making a bag up? A little shopping trip to pick up the items and an hour with a Christmas film on putting them together. Sounds like a fun afternoon to me and you'll make a big difference to someone. Kerry is also hosting a quiz to raise funds for this campaign so check out their Facebook page and if you can't make up a bag maybe pop to the quiz and support them, or even better do both!
Next
is the one you may have heard of before from your infant school days! The shoe
box appeal... This one I don't think needs too much explaining, you fill a
shoe box with toys and other 'treats' for a child in a country that won't be
getting anything this Christmas. (You choose if it's for a girl or a boy and
pick which age bracket), if you donate online you'll get a code to pop into the
box and after Christmas you'll receive an email letting you know what country
it ended up in. You only need to watch the videos on their website to see how
happy these children are with their gifts! It's amazing to see their sheer enjoyment
when the toys would be considered so small by a lot of people (the list of suggested item's includes colouring books,
skipping ropes, puzzles, etc)
For more information on what to pack and your
local drop off centre see their website here. (Note that the drop off dates close on November 18th in order for them to be organised and shipped so make sure they are dropped to your local shop BEFORE the 18th)
this is also a really fun one to do if you have children! You can explain the idea to them
and how lucky they are, they can include a note, drawing or Christmas card to the child it's
for and even encourage them to think about them on Christmas day to as they'll be unwrapping their shoe box full of pressies!
The
next is another Birmingham based charity, but I'm sure they'll be similar
across the country. The Birmingham Christmas Shelter's doors are open to the
homeless or vulnerable to give them somewhere to stay, access to showers,
plenty of meals and a festive atmosphere over the Christmas week. After a
session volunteering here you will feel SO differently about the people you
pass that are living on the street, everyone is equal at the shelter and
everyone is there (and on the streets) for different reasons. The one thing I
really noticed.. How polite and grateful the guests at the shelter are. If you
want to give up a few hours of your day over the holidays this is a great place to volunteer at,
depending where you are placed during your four hour shift you might be manning
the tea and coffee snack room, playing board games or karaoke or serving meals
in the cafeteria. One year my friend and I spent our shifts washing up in the
kitchen and didn't speak to any guests- but it takes a lot of people to make
this sort of place work and even these jobs add to making someone's Christmas special, Even if you can just volunteer on one day you'll be helping a great organisation.
If your interested in volunteering you HAVE to register and attend an induction
meeting where they'll tell you more about the shelter and how it works.. You can do this and find more information here. Best to sign up to this one quickly as you will need to make sure you get a place at induction (once you've had your induction you'll be able to sign up for shifts).
 |
| Above is the list of non perishable foods collected by The Trussel Trust and given to people in need. (The Erdington foodbank as written at the top is the one most local to me). |
And
last but not least, an idea that everyone could take part in as it costs so
little... The Trussel Trust is a charity that has set up food banks across the
UK and you'll often find them collecting in local supermarkets- this is
actually how I found out about them while popping in to do my Asda shop.
With
13 million people in the UK living below the poverty line, They collect basic
non-perishable food (find their shopping list below) which is then distributed
to people and families who have been referred to them for 'emergency food' with
some of the items on the list costing as little as about 30p if your reading
this you can probably afford to donate an item or two (if you want to of course). You can find their
collection points and more information (including if you'd like to volunteer
either collecting at local super markets or at the food banks on distribution
days) online here. This would be a fab idea for work places to get together and
take part in! If each colleague could donate one item together it would be a BIG amount! Except if you work on your own like me so if you live locally I'll
be collecting for my local (Erdington) food bank until the end of November.
Hopefully
one of these might inspire you to spread a little Christmas cheer whether its with your family or workplace in whatever
way you can and I promise you the person you help will be SO grateful.
You'll probably never know just how much.
Thanks for reading this one, Sophie x
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