For many of us, the Christmas period is our favourite time of year. The month of December is filled with festivities, parties, presents and lots of food!
However, hundreds of thousands of people in the UK suffer from homelessness, and cannot afford to enjoy the season.
According to crisis.org.uk “more than 200,000 families and individuals in England alone will be experiencing the worst forms of homelessness” this Christmas.
The corona virus pandemic has caused massive financial pressures for people and families across the country, causing people to sleep on the street or go without food and basic daily needs, let alone families not being able to give their children a present on Christmas day.
Here’s 3 things you can do in Cheltenham to help support the homeless this Christmas…
‘Open Door’ aim to help the needs of the vulnerable individuals in the community; “we welcome our guests with companionship, food and support”, and this Christmas is no different.
This year’s shelter will be held on Alstone Lane on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day between 9am and 6pm, offering three meals a day with snacks and drinks in between.
They’re providing hairdressing sessions, showers, lots of entertainment and a range of clothing, as well as offering all guests a gift bag.
How you can support guests at Open Door
- Volunteering
Applications to volunteer over the Christmas period have closed, however there is an application form you can fill in which will place you on the waiting list in case anyone drops out. You can find this here.
- Money Donations
You can contribute any amount to the charity by heading over to their website and finding the ‘Virgin Money Giving’ link.
- Food items
There’s a list of ingredients they need for shelter meals, so you can call them on 01242 577418 so they can let you know what they need. They also create food parcels for their guests, so any tinned or long-lasting foods are needed all year round.
- Help them fill a gift bag
From the donations they receive, they make Christmas gift bags for their guests and have a recommended list of what they think their guests will love.
·Toiletries
·Chocolate/sweets/nuts/savouries
·Games/puzzles for grown ups
·Brand new pants or socks for me men and women
·New gloves
·Books
At the moment, donations can be dropped at 39 Grosvenor St, Cheltenham, GL52 2SQ on Mondays (10am-1pm) and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (9am-2pm).
The Hamper Scamper scheme is set up by CCP to help spread Christmas cheer, whilst providing food parcels and gifts to disadvantaged families, children and young people.
“This year, we have seen a huge increase for demand from our community. With recent benefit cuts, fuel price increases, supermarket shortages and ongoing recovery of the employment market following the biggest challenge of our lifetime, we need you more than ever”, says the charity.
In 2019, they delivered over 2,000 gifts and had hundreds of volunteers giving their time to help out.
To find out how you can help, by either donating, organising a collection point at a workplace, or making a financial contribution, visit ccp.org.uk
The Cheltenham food bank are another charity creating Christmas parcels this year, and are calling for help on donations.
Hot chocolate, stuffing, gravy, sweets and cakes are some of the few things they are in need of this year.
According to Cheltenham food bank “1 in 5 of the UK population live below the poverty line.”
However, this amazing charity alongside all its volunteers and donations, managed to send out 3,777 three-day emergency food supplies which were given out to people in crisis last year.
Head over to their website here, to see how you can donate or volunteer and help the charity.
