Christmas support for care leavers

Donate 1 Create 1 CIC (D1C1) is a community-led organisation supporting young people and families across the West Midlands. This year, they are working in partnership with Dudley Council’s Children’s Services team to deliver their 4th annual Christmas Day Celebration for Care Leavers (17–25yrs). It’s part of the wider Christmas Dinner project from the Gold from the Stone Foundation which supports volunteers across the UK to create extraordinary Christmas Dinners for young care leavers.

D1C1 will be welcoming 30 care leavers from Birmingham and Dudley to a warm and intimate festive celebration, complete with a Christmas meal, activities, and gifts for young people who may otherwise spend the day alone.

Many of the young people live independently and need safe, reliable transport to attend the day. D1C1 is looking for a local taxi company to partner with by helping to cover or subsidise transport costs on Christmas Day, whether through complimentary journeys, reduced fares, or transport vouchers so that no young person misses out due to lack of travel. Any interested taxi companies can contact the team via Contact@donate1create1.com

Councillor Wayne Little, cabinet member for children and young people, said:

“We think of Christmas as a time for family and celebration, but not everyone has that, and for some of our care leavers, Christmas can actually be one of the loneliest times of the year.

“Projects like Donate 1 Create 1 and Gold from the Stone Foundation provide that sense of family and belonging, alongside practical things like a hot meal, food hamper and Christmas gifts and I would encourage people to donate their time or sponsor a gift box.”

Care leaver Sean who attended last year’s event said:

“It can be a difficult time being a care leaver and being on your own over the holidays because obviously other people our age are spending time with their families and we don't have that.

“Financially it's very hard and we might not be able to afford the food or the decorations and even then I know myself I don't want to cook a Christmas dinner on my own and a lot of people felt that there was no sense of belonging so it just helps being around the community of people who've been through the same situation.”

Alongside the care leavers Christmas Dinner, D1C1 is running a Community Christmas Appeal to provide 500 gift boxes to children, care leavers and individuals experiencing homelessness this winter. People can volunteer at one of several events including the Christmas dinner, a visit to Santa and a winter warm giveaway. Register your interest here https://forms.gle/SebgcSr3ro7sSV5d7

People can also donate and sponsor a gift box for £25: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/dyjog4xl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

Additional contact info:

Christmas Dinner : Brum@thechristmasdinner.org.uk

D1C1: Contact@donate1create1.com

www.D1C1.co.uk

https://www.goldfromthestone.org.uk/