Southwark Community Christmas Appeal

United St Saviour’s Charity is pulling together a Christmas Fund which will support local groups and charities to reach out to older and vulnerable residents in Southwark who would otherwise be alone.

This is going to be a very difficult festive season for Southwark’s older and vulnerable residents – particularly those living alone. Many Christmas parties have been cancelled due to Covid, and many people will not be seeing friends and family because of the pandemic.

You can learn more or donate by visiting Spacehive

The appeal

Lockdown restrictions are having a very big impact, especially on our older and vulnerable residents. Charities and community organisations across the borough are very worried about the impact on health and wellbeing. Even though things will not be the same this year, local groups, churches, charities and the council are all keen to ensure that our older and more vulnerable residents feel cared for and connected. Our brilliant local groups are making plans to reach and support people in different ways but we know the need is high and times are tough. So, we’re launching the Southwark Community Christmas appeal to help back these amazing efforts. In order to support this appeal you will set up a once-off direct debit to United St Saviour’s Charity. The Direct Debit can only be taken once and will only be taken when the campaign target is reached. For this appeal, the target must be reached for any of the pledges to be taken

What we’ll deliver:

• Christmas lunches for vulnerable residents
• Christmas hampers, gifts and visits
• Christmas carols and community activities (abiding by covid guidelines and regulations)

Why it’s a great idea:

If you can donate a small amount, you will contribute to a grants programme to support charities and local groups to deliver a range of activities in the Christmas period from Christmas lunches, hampers and gifts to visits and even Christmas carols. Depending on Covid restrictions, activities and support will be delivered to people in their homes, or at socially distanced events. If you cannot donate, do reach out to neighbours who might be feeling alone. This is a partnership between United St Saviour’s (UStSC) and St George the Martyr Charity and both have contributed funds. UStSC will manage and administer the fund. The council will also be contributing in addition to our broader work to protect and support residents and communities across the borough through this tough time. Spacehive are waiving their fees for this project. The only fees will be the 1.2% transaction fees from GoCardless, the payment platform.

Steps to get it done:

• Run the crowdfunding campaign
• Release funding to organisations running activities

The generosity of residents, business – and tireless efforts of local charities – meant that thousands of local people were provided with food, support and other essentials throughout the first lockdown. Winter is often the hardest time of year for older people and the festive period this year is going to be particularly tough. Many would normally attend Christmas gatherings organised by local organisations or be visited by friends and family but instead face being alone this Christmas after months of hardship and isolation. Your contribution to this appeal will help charities to reach our older and more vulnerable residents and show them a little bit of cheer and love. Thank you Southwark.

This is a community initiative supported by United St Saviours