So, it's that time of year again where we start to thinkabout Christmas.
Whilst Christmas is supposed to be a time of family, fun and
love, for many people it brings additional stresses due to financial restraints
and other issues.Hartlepool is in the top 10% most deprived local authorityareas in the country with high levels of unemployment and income deprivation.
This year Pools, along with HUCSF, have chosen a number of
local groups to support and are asking for your assistance too as we know what
a fantastic community spirit there is.In the run up to Christmas we will be opening up The Vic asa drop off spot for donations for the following fantastic local services:
Hartlepool Young Carers
You have probably heard quite a bit about this group over the past six months, as it is a Charity that HUCSF are proud to be partnered with.
Christmas can
be a challenging time for young people who care for a family member.
Instead of relaxing with relatives and friends, young carers often
face additional pressures during the festive break, taking on even
more responsibilities than usual and missing out on the usual celebrations and
gifts.There are 174
children and young people currently registered with Hartlepool Carers: 109,
12-17 year olds and 65, under 11.We are asking if when you are buying gifts for your loved
ones, you could please maybe pop an extra item in your basket. It doesn't have
to be big. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, you don't even have to buy
something if you have a suitable unused item at home you could re-gift.We will then make sure that these are passed onto children
and young people who otherwise may not receive gifts this year. Please wrap
your parcel and mark it clearly with the gender and age range it is intended
for. Advent calendars would also be gratefully received.Hartlepool Baby Bank
Hartlepool Baby Bank is a non-profit organisation based in Hartlepool and is a source of support and baby essentials for families in need. Families can be referred by health visitors or social services or simply pop along and see the volunteers.
They will then put together a ‘wish list' based on how old
the child is, the family's needs and their financial situation and then put
together a level of support suitable for each individual. In return, they ask
for a small donation, but if a monetary donation is not an option don't worry,
as you can volunteer or donate your own old equipment/clothes in return.Every Tuesday from 11am-1pm at Burbank Street and Thursdays 10-12 at the Changing Futures Building
on Abbey Street (Headland), they open up the doors as a safe space for
mums and dads to come and socialise and seek advice and support and also
provide training such as first aid.They are able to take donations all baby equipment except
for car seats and cot bumpers to pass on to families in the town. This includes
(but is not limited to) nappies and wipes, pushchairs, Moses baskets and
clothes for the under 4s. Hartlepool is one of the top 10% towns in the country
for deprivation affecting children and so the need for such a service is huge.For more information on this fantastic service contact babybankhartlepool@gmail.com, check out Baby Bank Hartlepool on Facebook or contact Emilie on 07717 337719.
Hartlepool Foodbank
As usual, Pools continue to support and promote the work of the local Foodbank, as well as linking up with HUST for our annual collection day.
In addition to the usual food donations, we will be supporting Hartlepool youngster Benji Cooper with his advent calendar appeal.
We met Benji at
the Gazette Community Champion Awards last November. For the past two years,
Benji has arranged donations of advent calendars for children whose parents use
foodbanks, starting with him donating his pocket money to buy them personally,
and this year he also collected Easter Eggs with his friend Scarlett.This year, along with his friends Scarlett Mason and FinlayBooth (all aged 9) Ben is wanting to go bigger and better with thanks to HUFC.
Benji Cooper said; “We are all really lucky and we know some
other children don't get as much as we do so we want to try to do something to
help.“We love our advent calendars in December and want all childrento have one.
“Christmas is about thinking of others and this is one way
we can do that - especially if other people help. Donating just one advent
calendar can really make a difference.”With young people like this in the town, we know the community is in safe hands in the future!
We have collection points both in main reception and the Club Shop for you to drop in your donations.