We love the idea of a Giving Tree and wondered if we could use it to help connect with charities who want to share some Christmas sparkle for people who may not be feeling very festive. People who are unwell or feel isolated.
We know the power of lots of people contributing in a small way and wanted to harness that, using the things we care about and things we are good at. People who draw on support and our staff care about lots of different causes locally and in three different areas we have reached out to three different charities to see if we can work together and bring a bit of joy at Christmas time.
Home Start at Warrington
In Warrington we teamed up with Home Start, a charity supporting families with children under five who may be feeling isolated. They asked us to think about the parents of young children and collect small items for Christmas Care boxes, sharing kindness, comfort and practical support.
St Albans Food Pantry
In St Albans, people supported and our staff wanted to help the local food pantry. We asked what they wanted and they asked us to collect children’s books as they want children to have books and experience the magic of reading and pictures.
Milton Keynes Hospital Charity
In Milton Keynes we connected with the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity. People who draw on support and our staff have experienced the little touches of kindness that the charity is able to offer people who are in hospital and they asked us to help think about people who are in hospital over Christmas. We collected useful, comfort items like lip balms and things to do, like puzzle books.
Debbie said:
We have chosen the hospital because we have all had experience of what a difference kindness makes when you are feeling unwell. We love to think if people are in hospital on Christmas Day that they will know someone is thinking about them and want them to have some joy. The Giving Tree is a great way for us all to be part of that. We are looking forward to picking up the gifts and taking them to the hospital ready for them to give out on Christmas Day.
We had enthusiastic support in Milton Keynes from staff at EMW Law and Approved Finance, who MacIntyre share office space with.
