As you will all know the homeless situation in this country is huge, living and working near Camden (London) means that the issue is pretty much on your door step and very hard to ignore. Homeless people face problems and struggles all year round but Christmas can be a particularly difficult, lonely (and cold) time. Many of us are lucky to share this time with the ones we love, maybe open some presents and have a nice hot meal, and the rest. Most homeless people however don’t have this luxury and I would like to do something small but hopefully effective to try and help.

I am going to be making up “care packages” to hand out this Christmas, filled with every day basics that we take for granted. Items such as water, socks, hats, gloves, a freshly made meal together with some shelf food, tissues, toiletries, wipes and sanitary products, band aids, tokens, etc. – (this list isn’t complete and can be added to/changed, ideas welcome!) - and to simply hand these out to those who would like them.

I initially was going to see how many care packages I could make up myself, but then I thought about how many other people I hear talking about how they would give money to homeless people or charities but they don't always see or trust where it goes. The more money that can be raised, then the more items/stock can be bought and the more packages can be made.

I will go out and get everything and put the care packages together and the plan is to then hand them out in the days before Christmas, you are very welcome to join in with this part too. In order to get everything ready in time the page will only be open until December 3rd 2017. Anything at all that you can give will help, I will of course save all receipts, etc. for anyone that would like proof of purchases and I will keep the page updated with pictures of them all before they go out.

If you wanted to help someone this winter this might be an easy but effective opportunity to share a little bit of Christmas spirit. It won’t change the homeless problem and it won’t change their lives or situation, but it might change their day for the better and that can’t be a bad thing.

Thank you for reading!

Helen x