As we approach the darker nights and colder months, Fresh Start has already started planning for the festive period, to ensure people who have experienced homelessness are receiving the help they need, during what can be a very difficult time for them. That's why we are already launching our annual Cookers for Christmas Appeal for 2019.

Imagine moving in to your new tenancy, just in time for Christmas and a positive start to the new year, then realising that you don't have a cooker to make your Christmas dinner, no washing machine to have clean clothes to visit friends and family over the festive period and no fridge to store a pint of milk to make a hot drink on a cold night. This concept is all too real for our service users, not only during the festive period but throughout the whole year.

Around the festive period, this lack of amenity is felt further as all around, messages of indulging in delicious treats and sitting down for tasty meals are shown almost at the turn of every corner.

Osvald was referred to Fresh Start following 2 years of living in hostels and temporary accommodation. Osvald was delighted with his new tenancy, but soon realised that the tenancy itself was not the end of his journey from homelessness, he needed all the comforts we take for granted to help build his home.

Due to an error with Universal Credit, where Osvald was sent the wrong appointment, he was left with zero income and no way of setting up his new tenancy through no fault of his own. Fresh Start stepped in and was able to provide a brand new cooker and washing machine to Osvald, in addition to this, we also provided 8 starter packs, ranging from bedding to kitchenware.

At Fresh Start, we want to help people like Oswald who have been homeless and provide them with a brand new cooker, washing machine, or fridge freezer as well as essential household Starter Pack items. Any small donation is welcome and will help to make a real difference not only to someone's festive period but also their life going forward.

Thank You.