Rise to the Big Give Christmas challenge!

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big give 2021

Between now and 12 noon on 7th December any money that you donate to one or more out of a list of 921 charities will be doubled by Big Give charity's partners.

How to choose between so many good causes? Difficult, but here are a couple of suggestions that are close to my heart.

Chickenshed: AMPLIFY - the Voice of the Child

Situation

One of the many outcomes of the lockdown period for our children has been their deeper understanding of their need to be heard and to share perspectives – with each other and their wider community. It is what they have told us that they miss – the opportunity to feel supported and to give support. Furthermore, to find ways of being purposeful in their actions towards themselves and ‘others’.

Solution

Driven by a child-led steering group, made up of members of Chickenshed’s Children’s Theatre and children from other theatre companies across London and the UK, creative ideas to address some of the challenges faced by children today are communicated to a peer-community of over 500 children. Using performance and interactive online resources, AMPLIFY will go on to share these with a wider group of peers and significant adults. Through this, the project aims to reach a further 5,000 children.

More information

 

Solace: Building dreams for children recovering from abuse

Situation

Children who experience domestic abuse and sexual violence face issues everyday and a life-hood of affected experiences.

In the short-term they often struggle to engage positively in school due to the disruptive issues they face everyday at home. This stops them forming positive bonds with their peers.

In the long-term they face an increased risk of drug and alcohol misuse or mental health issues due to the problematic behaviours that were shown at home.

Solution

We know that exposure to positive role-models and the chance to express their feelings can have life-changing impacts. This chance to address their trauma immediately in creative ways ensures that they can understand and develop coping mechanisms to ensure that they grow up feeling understood, believed & that they can move forwards and realise their dreams.

We teach about of healthy relationships, & teach the young people in our services what that looks like to ensure futures free from abuse.

More information

 

Citizens UK: Community sponsorship fund for refugees

Situation

There is an urgent need for refugee resettlement. Many refugees cannot go home because of continued conflict and persecution. Many live in perilous situations or have medical needs that cannot be met where they are. Resettlement offers a durable solution. But less than 1% of refugees in need are resettled. Refugees who do reach the UK often face a multitude of barriers to inclusion and wellbeing – such as lack of social connections, access to services, language and employment.

Solution

The Community Sponsorship Scheme provides a way for local communities to directly increase the number of refugees who can safely resettle to the UK. Refugees are prioritised for resettlement due to urgent medical or other protection needs. The community meet the family at the airport and bring them to their new home. They support the family to build social connections, access local services, find work, and rebuild their lives. “It changed my whole life" says Khadija, who was welcomed to Devon.

  • "Our children are safe now. The generosity of the group has taken us aback. Our papers are all done, and we had help with the medical side. Everyone treats us like family...There’s no going back [to Syria]. Our house was destroyed, there's nothing".

    — Hassan

  • “The help we have received here has been amazing, now I can do a lot of the things on my own”.

    — Ahmed

  • Thanks to the sponsorship community for supporting us here. Since the war started, my life was filled with anxiety. My life has really changed from the moment that I arrived at the airport. A sense of relief washed over me.

    — Khadija


More information

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Posts in discussion: Rise to the Big Give Christmas challenge!
PGC Webmaster posted a reply
#6280
01 Dec 2021 17:45
The three charities that I listed are specialised (though they have plenty of clients!), but let's not forget the growing scandal of poverty and hunger in England, as eloquently pointed out by Clare Donovan three weeks ago.

Below is an excerpt from a press release issued by the Big Give yesterday:

Charities brace themselves as more than one third of Londoners say they expect to be relying on charities for essentials or support this Christmas this year

More than one third (35%) of London residents said they will rely on charities for support or essentials this Christmas, with 37% saying they are considering using food banks, according to a survey of 2,000 people carried out by Censuswide for charity The Big Give.

Over half of Londoners said they expect to find this Christmas in particular harder to cope with than usual, with 24% citing financial insecurity and 33% citing concerns about Covid-19 as their main reasons.

In London, 56% of people are worried they will incur debt over Christmas, while around one in five is concerned about housing insecurity.

In a time when the work of charities is more important than ever, thankfully more than half of Londoners plan to donate the same or a higher amount to charity this year compared to usual.

A campaign organised by the Big Give and backed by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Dame Judi Dench, Russell Brand and others is aiming to help. The Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s biggest Christmas coordinated fundraising appeal, is supporting over 900 charities to raise funds with the unique offer of matching any donations made during the week of 30th November - 7th December.

Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare, a charity supported by Marcus Rashford which redistributes surplus food said, said: ‘Many voluntary sector organisations are warning there will be an increase in need for their services over what is likely to be a difficult winter for many families. Vulnerable communities will be hardest hit by cost of living increases and rising energy prices. We are hugely grateful for the support of the Big Give at this time when millions of families will be turning to charities and community groups for help getting food on the table.’

‘Kate’, a single mum to three children who has benefitted from the services of FareShare, but wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘Winter is a very hard time for us. Bills, especially our energy bill, have gone up quite a lot, and with Christmas coming there’s always more pressure. The money I’ve saved on my shopping with FareShare has helped me save up for Christmas presents for the kids, and I can set aside a bit to help with the bills. It means I can worry a bit less, knowing that the kids can focus on their school work and I’ll have dinner for them when they need it.’

Alex Day, Director of The Big Give said: ‘Our study shows that, sadly, people across the UK, and in particular London, are facing an imperfect storm; High fuel prices, chronic mental health problems, rising debt, loneliness and fears about Covid-19 will mean that, for many, this festive period will be a far cry from picture perfect scenes portrayed on Christmas cards.

‘Some will rely on charities which will be further and further stretched as demand grows.’

‘That is why, for those who can, supporting charities is more important than ever. Through The Christmas Challenge campaign, we are offering to match any donation made to hundreds of amazing charities through theBigGive.org.uk.. That means whatever you can give will go twice as far.’
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