Give a little gift to those who need it

For those less fortunate than ourselves, the festive season can be a difficult time. We’ve got two great opportunities for you to give something back this festive season, and put a smile on someone’s face:

Southampton Social Services Children's Christmas appeal

For the last 18 years Carnival UK colleagues have kindly taken part in the Southampton Social Services Children’s Christmas appeal, and every year there’s an amazing response – over 700 gifts were donated last year!

In and around the Southampton area there are children less fortunate than ourselves who are in care homes or foster homes and families that through no fault of their own, are struggling. Without the generous donations made by us their Christmas Day would be just another day.  For those of you that have not taken part before, it’s an opportunity to give something ‘little’ to make a ‘big’ difference. 

How to get involved

If you would like to take part please head towards the Atrium where a terrible, pink tinsel tree will be placed alongside list of childrens’ names. Once you have chosen your child, cross through their name. Please do not remove the lists from the table!

You’ll then need to buy a small gift and wrap it then add your child’s name and age on it, drop it in the bin by the tree between 9 and 23 December. Social Services will then come pick them up and deliver these gifts to the children all before Christmas Eve, which is a mammoth task. So like us, these children will get something to open Christmas Day and you get the comfort of knowing you’ve made that happen.

Wrapping is optional – any gifts given unwrapped do get wrapped before Christmas day. If you have no preference and would like to just donate a gift please be assured that it will be given to a child who needs it. Please remember to attach a label with your child’s name and age so we know who it is for.

Got a query? Contact Liz Foyle for more information

Everyday basics for those in need

Finding the perfect present, making sure the house is beautifully decorated and choosing the best recipes for Christmas dinner are the big focus for a lot of us at this time of year. However, for those less fortunate than ourselves, Christmas can be a time of continued hardship.

The aim of our collection is, quite simply, to provide food and toiletries to people who can’t afford them for whatever reason. Our donations will be stocking up the shelves of our local Southampton Basics Bank who help people who have hit hard times.

Items must not need refrigerating & need to be non-perishable please.
(*Specifically requested items that they are low of)

Tinned goods
*Vegetables; sweetcorn, carrots, peas, potatoes, tomatoes
*Meat & fish; stewed steak, cornbeef, pies, meatballs, chilli con carne
Baked beans with sausages
Ravioli
*Spaghetti hoops
Macaroni cheese
Beans & pulses
Soups (especially chunky)
*Jars of cooking sauces

Dried goods
Pasta (normal & gluten free)
Rice (all types – can be microwaveable packets)
Instant noodles & mash
Cereal (especially Wheetabix)
Sugar

Sweet
Snacks (biscuits, nuts, chocolate)
*Tinned fruit
*Tinned custard
*Rice pudding
Sponge pudding
Conserves

Drinks
Milk UHT (long-lasting)
Fruit juice (not refrigerated)
Squash
Tea, *coffee, *hot chocolate

Toiletries – only the below please and must be unused/packets unopened
*Toothpaste
Shower gel
Shampoo & conditioner
Deodorant
Sanitary products
Baby wipes & nappies

Bring your donations to the atrium before 19 December and look out for the ‘Southampton Basics Bank’ sign.

Got a query? Contact Kate Whitehead for more information

Be a hero of safe and well this festive season and get donating!