Article Source: Quarriers
Last Updated: 22 November 2021 10:31
Christmas is billed as the ‘happiest time of the year’ but for young homeless people the reality can be very different with no delicious Christmas dinner to overindulge on, no family occasions to enjoy and no gifts to open.
Leading health and social care charity Quarriers understands how challenging life can be for these young people and has launched its annual Box of Hope appeal to support young homeless people this winter.
Now in its ninth year, the charity is appealing for donations – from as little as £2 - to help homeless young people across Scotland to receive a gift over the festive period.
On average it is estimated that £5 billion* is wasted on unwanted gifts in Britain every year with more than 21 million people receiving at least one present they do not want and Quarriers is urging people to add a young homeless person to their Christmas list this year instead.
There are three Boxes of Hope available to help to spread festive cheer by making a donation through the Quarriers website, the gifts range from:
• A £2 donation could give a young person their favourite chocolate on Christmas morning
• A £6 donation will provide a young person with toiletries such as bubble bath or shower gel to pamper and care for themselves
• A £10 donation could help to keep a young person warm with a gift which includes thermal gloves or a hat and scarf
In Scotland, almost a quarter of homeless applications are made by those aged 16-24. These young people have often been part of the care system, and may have also experienced difficult family situations and find themselves homeless as a result.
Quarriers offers young people a safe roof over their head and provides as much support as possible to help each individual with their specific circumstances. For many of the supported youngsters, the Christmas gifts from Quarriers’ Box of Hope appeal may be the only gift they receive this year.
Fiona Nicolson, Head of Service – children, families and young people for Quarriers said: “Following the trials brought by the pandemic, 2021 has undoubtedly been a difficult year for everyone. However, this is just one of the worries homeless young people have had weighing heavily on their shoulders.
“The festive period can be an incredibly difficult time for the young people we support, as it is often associated with time spent with family, a time for friends, and, of course, a time for giving.
“They may not have had family to support them during this terrible time and after months of isolation they are facing spending the festive season alone.
“Every service will be different and will closely follow the guidance as Christmas approaches. But what remains true is that Quarriers is working hard to help young people feel less alone on Christmas day.
“We are counting on the generosity of others to provide one small gift to let these young people know that someone is thinking of them and to help them to mark Christmas day against the rest of the year.”
Donations can be made at quarriers.org.uk or by calling 01505 690875.
The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!
READ MOREFringe Tickets for Just £6.50: Assembly Festival re-launches Local Residents Ticket Offer for EH, FK, G, KY, ML & DG postcodes.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.
READ MOREStirling's vibrant cultural and music scene is continuing to thrive with the launch of a new piano lounge in the historic Golden Lion Hotel.
READ MOREStirling Council is asking for feedback on a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area as a public consultation goes live today.
READ MOREAcclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!
READ MOREStirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThe much-loved Antonine passenger vessel, a trip boat serving one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions has received an electrifying makeover.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games has proudly announced a new three-year partnership with one of Scotland’s most iconic brewing brands, Innis & Gunn.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORECheck out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MOREScotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!
READ MORERefugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.
READ MORETickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.
READ MOREThe paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.
READ MORETo mark Bike Week UK, people across Stirling are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that will help shape active travel in the area and support the shift to sustainable modes of transport.
READ MOREPollinator-friendly plants, funded and organised by Go Forth Stirling BID have added a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre.
READ MOREScottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.
READ MOREVisitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.
READ MORE