How you can help this Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, a time when families get together, festive food is shared, presents are opened and goodwill is in abundance. But what about all those people for whom Christmas is a reminder of their loneliness, a time of past memories and present sadness, despair and depression? Who will look out for them? Within each Cornish Community there is a spirit of generosity and kindness that is demonstrated time and time again in the 'Spirit of Cornwall'. Our campaign will seek to harness this generosity of spirit by asking people to help local organisations support the vulnerable, the lonely and the marginalised. If you can help with supplying any of the needs below please contact the organisations concerned to see how you can make a difference this Christmas.
PENWITH DISTRICT
- The Breadline Centre in Penzance is now managed by St Petroc’s Society and does very valuable work with homeless and unemployed people both in terms of providing practical support (food, warm clothes, sleeping bags) and practical advice. Their drop-in centre (8 Bread Street) needs donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tinned and dried foods and Christmas food and presents. Please contact Dave or Mike on 01736 366767 or bring food to the drop in centre 10.00am to 3.00pm Mon - Fri. They are also seeking volunteers to help with a Christmas Day and Boxing Day lunches please contact Richard or Corinna on 01872 264153 if you can help.
- St Petroc's Society will be holding vigils and ‘sleep-outs’ in Truro, St Columb Minor, Launceston, Bodmin and St Austell. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Margaret or Linda on 01872 260948. Christmas Appeal envelopes are also available on the numbers above.
- YMCA Cornwall in Penzance provide supported housing for 16-25yr olds, Backpacker accommodation, youth, sports and social activities. The YMCA Carol Service is being held at the YMCA on 21st at 2.30pm. All Welcome. Collection will go towards the work of ‘Y Care International’. Please contact David for further details on 01736 334822.
- West Cornwall Women's Aid is a charity that provides refuge and support for women and children escaping domestic violence and abuse. They need Christmas presents for women and children, particularly 7-14yr olds, Christmas food gifts eg mince pies, Christmas cakes, chocolates, shortbread, toiletries for women, etc Phone Lizzie on 01736 367543.
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
KERRIER DISTRICT
- Lorraine who helps run the Redruth Food Bank, provides emergency food parcels for those in need, requires donations of food (mince pies, Christmas pudding & cakes, chocolates, snacks & nibbles, Christmas crackers), volunteers to help collect food at local supermarkets and drivers to take food items to warehouses. Any GP’s, Social workers, Health Visitors who would like to know more about the scheme should also contact Lorraine. Please contact Lorraine on 0870 7522223 or take food to ‘Life Changers Charity Shop’ 4 Penryn Street, Redruth.
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
CARRICK DISTRICT
- Truro Homeless Action Group provides a meal every day of the year for the homeless and this year will be having both a Christmas Day and a Boxing Day Lunch. They work in conjunction with the Salvation Army in Truro. Looking for donations of tinned and packeted food, non alcoholic drinks, toiletries and warm clothing, thermos flasks. Contact Ann on 01872 270894.
- St Petroc's Society in Truro does very valuable work with homeless people both in terms of providing practical support (food, warm clothes, sleeping bags) and practical advice. Their drop-in centre in City Road needs donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tinned and dried foods and Christmas food and presents. Please contact 01872 264153 or bring to the drop in centre 9.00am to 5.00pm Mon - Fri.
- St Petroc's Society will be holding vigils and 'sleep-outs' in Truro, St Columb Minor, Launceston, Bodmin and St Austell. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Margaret or Linda on 01872 260948. Christmas Appeal envelopes are also available on the numbers above.
- Mental Health Forum provides support for users of mental health services in Cornwall. They are looking for any organisations that are running Christmas Day lunches for their clients in all areas. Contact Nicki on 01872 223250.
- Kath at the Bishop’s Forum Activity Centre in Penryn, which offers inspiring and challenging activities to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, are holding several Christmas lunches for the children but need help with crockery, pots, pans, vouchers for Christmas food, or presents suitable for teenagers. Contact Kath on 01326 340912.
- The Westcountry Housing Association in Truro provides supported accommodation for young women in crisis. Whether it is a family break-up or personal difficulties the centre provides short-term accommodation to help get them back on their feet. Phone Michele or Vivien on 01872 260847 if you can help with Christmas presents for young women (15-30), Christmas hampers or food, or cinema / theatre tickets.
- Furniss Coal Charity are providing free bags of coal to any resident in the Parish of Truro, who use coal as the sole source of heat in their home. Contact the City Council on 01872 274766
- Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust supports women who have suffered domestic violence. They have a Helpline and a Refuge. They would welcome gifts of Christmas food, Children’s toys, women’s presents and toiletries. Contact Jean or Sue on 01872 277814.
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
RESTORMEL BOROUGH
- Cornwall One Parent Support Group are holding a Christmas party for all the Cornwall area groups in St Austell at the Corerstone Community Centre. They would welcome Party Food, Sweets, chocolate rolls and fingers, or any Vouchers from Tesco, Asda, or Iceland. Contact Elizabeth on 01726 65417.
- Jayne of Newquay MIND, the local mental health charity working with people who have experienced mental distress, would like some help with food and toiletries for the homeless as well as well as presents and gifts for her clients Christmas Party.
Please contact Jayne on 01637 871063. - St Petroc's Society in Newquay does valuable work with homeless people both in terms of providing practical support (food, warm clothes, sleeping bags) and practical advice. Their hostel in Newquay needs donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tinned and dried foods and Christmas food and presents. Please contact Head Office on 01872 264153 to organise local drop off arrangements.
- Mental Health Forum provides support for users of mental health services in Cornwall. They are looking for any organisations that are running Christmas Day lunches for their clients in all areas. Contact Nicki on 01872 223250.
- St Petroc's Society will be holding vigils and ‘sleep-outs’ in Truro, St Columb Minor, Launceston, Bodmin and St Austell. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Margaret or Linda on 01872 260948. Christmas Appeal envelopes are also available on the numbers above.
- St Petroc’s Society in Newquay does valuable work with homeless people both in terms of providing practical support (food, warm clothes, sleeping bags) and practical advice. Their hostel in Newquay needs donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tinned and dried foods and Christmas food and presents. Please contact Head Office 01872 264153 to arrange local drop off arrangements.
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
CARADON DISTRICT
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
- Mental Health Forum provides support for users of mental health services in Cornwall. They are looking for any organisations that are running Christmas Day lunches for their clients in all areas. Contact Nicki on 01872 223250.
NORTH CORNWALL DISTRICT
- The Rev. Roger Rowland of the Bude Food Bank is looking for donations of tinned food (vegetables, meat, fish, fruit) also packets of tea, coffee, rice, pasta dried/long-life milk and cereals. Roger and his team help distribute emergency provisions to individuals, couples and families at times of crisis. Contact Roger on 01288 359714 if you can help.
- St Petroc’s Society in Bodmin does valuable work with homeless people both in terms of providing practical support (food, warm clothes, sleeping bags) and practical advice. Their hostel in Bodmin needs donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tinned and dried foods and Christmas food and presents. Please contact Head Office on 01872 264153 to organize local drop off arrangements.
- Invite a Neighbour to your Christmas Day Lunch and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. It might even add to the fun and enjoyment of the occasion! If you can’t do it for Christmas Day Lunch how about inviting your neighbour to a meal over the Christmas period! Whatever you do this Christmas take time to think about your neighbours. What if it were you that were alone this Christmas?
If you would like help with running an event or activity this Christmas or would like to volunteer help with the distribution of posters and leaflets, please contact me below.
Colin Reid, Cathedral
Communications Officer
14 St Mary's Street,
TRURO,
TR1 2AF
01872 245007
