Initiatives to support disadvantaged children this Christmas

The study also reveals that 30 per cent of parents who receive the benefit will skip meals over the festive seasons to save money.

Meanwhile, almost two thirds of children asked said their mums and dads would be worried about making Christmas a happy time for their family.

CYP Now looks at support offered by charities and organisations to support struggling families to celebrate the festive period through food deliveries, free mental health resources and fundraising campaigns:

Secret Santa campaign

Action for Children is supporting vulnerable families through its Secret Santa campaign which offers supporters the chance to buy a gift for a child through the charity's website or make a donation. 

Visit actionforchildren.org.uk for more information.

CitySprint partners with poverty charities

Distribution company CitySprint has partnered with food poverty charity Trussell Trust and homelessness charity Crisis to boost support for disadvantaged families this Christmas.

The organisation has donated three vans to Crisis to deliver donations to those in need.

It has also pledged £20,000 in funding to the Trussell Trust and will support both charities further through a business-wide fundraising drive with a target of £150,000.

Staff are also encouraged to use designated working days to support the organisations through hands-on volunteering or fundraising.

Confidence boosting through letter to Santa

Youth impact coach Colette Isaacs is offering a letter to Santa pack complete with guidance on parents and carers to boost their child’s confidence while completing the task together.

The resource is designed to combat the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and young people’s mental health while £1 from every pack sold will go to charity Christmas for CAMHs.

For more details click here.

Free theatre offer

Youth theatre charity, Cherwell Theatre Company (CTC), based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, will share recordings of their recent live performances with schools, children’s homes and residential care homes for young people around the Cherwell District throughout Christmas and the New Year.

The theatre’s offering includes a recorded film of two shows created and performed by young people.

Company coordinator, Stacey White said: “This year has seen CTC explore the role of emerging technology alongside traditional approaches to theatre making. 

“After an exceptionally busy 2021, we are taking a rest from live performances this Christmas, but are delighted to share our work with our community in exciting new ways. If you are a care home, school or community organisation interested in streaming our performances free of charge, please email us: workshops@cherwelltheatrecompany.co.uk

Affordable Christmas dinner

Footballer Marcus Rashford has teamed up with chef Tom Kerridge to produce a recipe for a £10 Christmas meal for those using healthy start vouchers.

The meal, which would cost around £13 for those not entitled to the government scheme, consists of a turkey roll with stuffing and a potato and carrot hash to serve as many as six people.

The recipe has been shared through the pair’s Full Time Meals campaign which was launched to encourage children to cook healthy food on a budget.

For the full recipe visit: instagram.com/fulltimemeals

Tips to tackle loneliness

The Co-op Foundation’s Lonely Not Alone campaign offers tips from young people for tackling loneliness over the festive season.

Almost 150 young people have spoken out about how they've overcome loneliness as part of the campaign made by 14 to 22-year-olds. 

Stories highlighting the one small step young people have taken to feel better have been added as voice notes and text to the lonelynotalone.org digital universe.  

Tips and suggestions from young people include: 

• Using social media to connect to others with shared experiences, like chronic illness 

• Reaching out to old friends, particularly in winter 

• Being kinder to yourself. 

Send details of your campaigns to support disadvantaged children this Christmas to fiona.simpson@markallengroup.com