Monday 28th November PROJECT NEWS - Comfort Cupboard for Local Refuge
The response of the Belfry Shoppers on our two Local Santa sessions this year was just incredible. That first Thursday I felt as though I literally turned round and all those cards with the names and wishes of local children in need had just flown off the tree !
Having learned that women and children fleeing domestic abuse sometimes take a rare window of opportunity to run away with their children and literally leave everything else behind we thought especially of the children suddenly finding themselves in the new refuge environment with none of their toys or familiar things around them. Out of this realisation came the idea of a "Comfort Cupboard" of soft toys so that newly arriving children could pick one out to have as their snuggly for bed that first night and beyond.
Everyone who bought a teddy also gave it a name which we attached to a ribbon round their necks.
If anyone reading this was one of our "Local Santa's" you may well be able to see the toy you bought for us with the name you chose on his name tag !
The refuge management were delighted with this idea and all those little furry faces peeking out of the cupboard are sure be a welcome sight for newly arriving traumatised children.
THANK YOU SO much to everyone who played a part in making this our biggest and best Local Santa Project ever. There were over 70 gifts purchased by shoppers, wrapped by our volunteers and delivered our Loveworks Santa this year.
The response of the Belfry Shoppers on our two Local Santa sessions this year was just incredible. That first Thursday I felt as though I literally turned round and all those cards with the names and wishes of local children in need had just flown off the tree !
Having learned that women and children fleeing domestic abuse sometimes take a rare window of opportunity to run away with their children and literally leave everything else behind we thought especially of the children suddenly finding themselves in the new refuge environment with none of their toys or familiar things around them. Out of this realisation came the idea of a "Comfort Cupboard" of soft toys so that newly arriving children could pick one out to have as their snuggly for bed that first night and beyond.
Everyone who bought a teddy also gave it a name which we attached to a ribbon round their necks.
If anyone reading this was one of our "Local Santa's" you may well be able to see the toy you bought for us with the name you chose on his name tag !
The refuge management were delighted with this idea and all those little furry faces peeking out of the cupboard are sure be a welcome sight for newly arriving traumatised children.
THANK YOU SO much to everyone who played a part in making this our biggest and best Local Santa Project ever. There were over 70 gifts purchased by shoppers, wrapped by our volunteers and delivered our Loveworks Santa this year.
I just want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the refuge to each and every person who bought toys for our children. When the children arrive at the refuge it can be very scary for them. They have left behind everything they know so it is a real comfort for them to have their own teddy. Ideas like this really make a difference.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte
Refuge Manager