Care experienced young people in Plymouth will enjoy Christmas presents this year thanks to a festive campaign led by Plymouth City Council – but your support is needed.
The Council currently supports around 270 young people aged 18 to 25-years-old who have experience of living in the care system, with many of them now living independently.
The Christmas Appeal is asking people to donate gifts to care leavers so that they have something special to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Christmas trees with gift tags listing a variety of popular items can be found in Council buildings including Central Library, The Box and the Council House. People are invited to take a gift tag, purchase the item and then return it to the tree by 16 December, where it will be collected, wrapped and gifted to a local care leaver.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said:
“Christmas is a really special time of year, but we know for lots of our care experienced young people it can be a difficult or lonely time – particularly if they are facing their first Christmas alone in their own home.
“At the Council we are ‘corporate parents’ to young people in our care, and as every parent knows, your responsibility does not end the moment your child turns 18. It’s so important that we continue to support and nurture our young people, making sure they feel valued.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has already supported, or who will be supporting, this year’s Christmas Appeal, because with your help we can make sure all our care experienced young people receive a thoughtful gift to open on Christmas morning and will know how much the local community cares about them.”
Balfour Beatty is also generously supporting this year’s Christmas Appeal, with staff contributing 100 gifts for care leavers as well as donating funds to make up Christmas Hampers for young people to enjoy at home, already raising over £500.
A spokesperson from Balfour Beatty said
“We really want to give these young people the Christmas they deserve and we feel that supporting this special project will help to show them that someone cares.”
Local businesses that would like to support the appeal or would like more information about how to support care leavers in Plymouth, can email Theskysthelimit@plymouth.gov.uk.
Anyone wishing to buy a care leaver a gift can also use the Amazon wishlist, which has a range of gift options that will be delivered directly to the team supporting care leavers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/GMT5LAT1UY2N?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_R2QfVPzmdo4ut