BCHA were able to bring some comfort and joy to our customers this Christmas, thanks to the success of our Festive Appeal, and the generous donations from several business across the country. Our Festive Appeal this year was one of our most successful appeals to date. We raised a massive £1,756, donated from both businesses and individuals, which was then split across 17 of our services. We were able to provide Christmas dinners, gifts, hampers and most importantly some festive cheer for our customers thanks to the generous support offered.
BCHA were also fortunate enough to receive several gift donations from local businesses. In the BCP area, Protectline’s annual Shoebox Appeal donated over 60 gift boxes for both children and adults to us, which were distributed across all our services. The customers in our Liberty and Domestic Abuse services were also purchased gifts from Glenigan, helping to bring them a little Christmas cheer.
Further West in the Plymouth area, our services were recipient of a donation from Collins. The children in our temporary accommodation also received gifts from Services Design Solutions (SDS), who instead of hosting a corporate ‘Secret Santa’, thoughtfully selected gifts to donate to our Families Team. Facilited by PCiP (Promoting Children in Plymouth), the gifts were very gratefully received by those in temporary accommodation this Christmas. At what can already be a stressful time of year, having to think about providing gifts to children can be very overwhelming for those facing hardships during the festive season. Jordan Carter, senior practitioner in Plymouth for the Families Team, said “This donation meant so much to our customers who are facing adversity at Christmas. It reinforced our customers faith in both our local community and local businesses, ensuring they felt thought of at what can feel like a very difficult time of year.”

Christmas dinner certainly did not go amiss at BCHA this year. At Millenium House, one of our Mental Health supported living properties in Bournemouth, a Christmas lunch was thoughtfully prepared by Lisa Boon, the senior practitioner at the service. Food had been donated from local businesses, and the team and residents did some festive arts and crafts to make Christmas centrepieces.
In Plymouth, a Christmas food hamper from Bidfood and a special food donation from Bristol FC was delivered over the Christmas period to our George House hostel. Molly Shill, premises manager at George House, said “When we get donations at Christmas it always reminds me how much people want to help those facing homelessness. We are so lucky to work with some amazing organisations and individuals who support us to give a little bit more to those who need it at a difficult time.” Fuel Catering also were instrumental in their support in the Plymouth area, providing and delivering 38 meals to our temporary accommodation on Christmas Eve.
“BCHA are immensely grateful for the kindness shown by local businesses this year. These donations make a huge difference to the people in our services. Please do consider supporting BCHA, I'd welcome an informal chat on what a partnership could look like for your business.”
Christmas, although a time of celebration for many, can be a difficult time of year. Our Festive Appeal aims to bring joy to our customers and make the day that little bit easier for those going through hardship. We hope to run the appeal again this year and your support is invaluable. To contact our Partnerships & Growth Officer, Stephanie Bray, to find out how you can support BCHA or our Festive Appeal, please reach out to her at stephaniebray@bcha.org.uk.