As part of their Christmas celebrations, the diocesan Parish Support Team and the Communications Team really enjoyed their volunteering morning at SCRATCH last week, a Christian charity which works to relieve the effects of hardship, disadvantage and poverty for people living in Southampton and the surrounding area.
At Christmas, the charity provides toys and gifts to children, young people and families who may not otherwise be able to afford presents. The families are referred by social services and other statutory agencies and, as the children and young people, are asked about their hobbies and interests, all the presents are picked out by volunteers to bring real joy at Christmas!
The team helped choose presents for each child, with most gifts including books, cuddly toys, arts and crafts kits, colouring books, and something specific from the child’s wish list! Our volunteers then boxed up each gift, creating bundles to be delivered to families in Southampton and the surrounding area.
When you see stories on the news about families in need – at home or abroad – they feel so far away and you wonder what on earth you can do to help. When the team from the Diocesan Office do their regular volunteering stint at SCRATCH’s Christmas Complete project, and find themselves putting together a package of gifts for children in a refugee family, or for those who’ve had to flee domestic violence, suddenly that distance has disappeared. Every gift of time, money or goods donated is a practical way of making a difference to people who need it most.
Ann Laird, Chair of the Board at SCRATCH
The toys, games, and other gifts were all donated by local businesses, organisations, and individuals. More information on how to make a donation can be found here.
A huge thank you to the team at SCRATCH for welcoming the diocesan team, and we pray for their continued work serving disadvantaged families in our diocese.
