Help a Young Person Have a Happy Christmas
Lincolnshire Action Trust is calling for support from businesses as it launches its LAT Wishes Christmas campaign for the charity’s Young Oasis service.
The service provides support, guidance and encouragement to Lincolnshire children and young people affected by the substance misuse of a parent or family member, for whom Christmas can be an especially challenging time.
Therefore, the team at Lincolnshire Action Trust, which runs Young Oasis, is asking businesses to donate gifts throughout December for 30 of the children they are currently working with.
Young Oasis practitioners have identified suitable items for each youngster and are hoping Lincolnshire businesses will donate them through the LAT Wishes campaign.
Alison Goddard, CEO of Lincolnshire Action Trust, said: “This festive season we’re asking local businesses to consider donating a gift to our Christmas campaign to help a child or young person in Lincolnshire have a happier Christmas.
“The gifts will have a huge impact on their lives as they deal with very difficult situations, especially at this time of year.”
Items on the wish list for children and young people aged six to 17 include books, juggling balls, colouring books and pencils, toiletries and Squishes.
Shooting Star, a PR, marketing and digital agency that has been working with LAT over the last three years, has stepped up to be the first business to give a gift.
Director Kate Strawson delivered a batch of colouring books and pencils to Alison Goddard on Monday (3rd December).
Kate said: “It’s a pleasure to support the LAT Wishes campaign. The charity supports so many families throughout the year that we felt this was a great opportunity to help them make a difference to the lives of some of the children they work with.”
Alison added: “For most families Christmas is a magical time, but for children and young people dealing with parents who misuse substances it can be a time of acute uncertainty and anguish.
“We hope that these gifts will help ensure these children and young people have something to look forward to on Christmas morning.
“I’d like to thank Kate and the Shooting Star team for being the first to get involved. There is still plenty on the wish list though, so please get in touch if you are able to help.”
Businesses interested in giving a gift can contact Debbie Harris at Lincolnshire Action Trust on 01522 806611 to organise a donation or to drop off something specific.
Other items on the Young Oasis Christmas list include: craft or drawing packs; hair products; calendars and diaries; chocolate and sweets; onesies and slipper socks; books by Roald Dahl and Marvel; notebooks; wooden puzzles and Jenga.
For more information about Young Oasis and the other support programmes being delivered by Lincolnshire Action Trust please visit www.LATcharity.org.uk
Notes for editors:
• Established in 2000, Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT) is a registered charity based in Lincoln.
• LAT works with statutory and non-statutory agencies to improve the skills and employability of individuals involved in the criminal justice system and prisoners in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Leicestershire, as well as their families and children.
• The Trust has delivered the Young Oasis project since 2015, supporting children and young people from all backgrounds who are affected by the substance misuse of a family member, usually a parent.
• LAT delivers a proactive and innovative partnership approach to achieve the care, resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders, those at risk of offending and their families.
• Lincolnshire Action Trust identifies client needs and gaps in current provision and designs bespoke services to address them. Services are tailored to the individual and include sessions on advice and guidance, debt and financial advice, accommodation support, employability and family support and disclosure.
• LAT hosts the UK’s first ‘departure lounge’ at HMP Lincoln, which aims to support offenders as they are released. The lounge offers a basic help package to address any immediate needs but can also provide guidance on housing, travel and other long-term needs.
• LAT delivers SPARC (Supporting People After Remand or Conviction) an assessment service at Lincoln Magistrates Court which addresses the immediate needs of individuals who have been sentenced.
• For more information visit www.LATcharity.org.uk
