This festive season, our Trust is calling on the public to join our staff in donating a gift to our Christmas Bag Project for care leavers.
The annual project is led by our New Leaf service which supports care leavers aged 16-25 who face emotional and mental health challenges, often without family support.
It provides care leavers who use the New Leaf service with a bag of gifts to open on Christmas Day, reminding them that they are not alone during what can be an especially difficult time of year. Donations can be made via our Amazon Wish List, featuring items that are the most needed and which can help to brighten a person’s day.
In addition to gifts, this year we are also seeking donations of long-life food items. Many of our care leavers are struggling with the rising cost of living and cannot always access food banks. By donating long-life food, you can help us create food hampers to go alongside the Christmas bags, ensuring these young people have both festive cheer and essential supplies during a difficult time.
Emrald Greenidge, Clinical Lead for New Leaf, said: "Young people who’ve previously received gifts through our Christmas Bag Project have been deeply moved by the generosity of others. It’s only through your support that we’re able to run the campaign again this year. Donations, whether gifts or food items, will be gratefully received.”
Ben, 21, a careleaver, said: “Thank you for my Christmas bag, these are the first presents I have had in years.”
Another care leaver said: “I am so grateful for my presents, I am surprised that people would donate such nice stuff.”
We kindly ask that all donations arrive by Friday, 29 November, to allow time for wrapping and distribution. Gifts and food donations can be sent directly from Amazon or posted to: c/o Care Leavers, Ramsay House, Richmond Crescent, Epsom, KT19 8PH.
Did you know?
According to statistics from the national charity Home for Good:
- Around 10,000 young people in England age out of the care system each year at 18.
- 25% of the homeless population are care leavers.
- Nearly 25% of adults in prison have been in care.
- Almost 50% of under-21s in the criminal justice system have spent time in care.
For more information, please contact: rxx.admin.camhsspecialistservices@nhs.net.