Norfolk County Council's Christmas gift appeal

People across Norfolk are being invited to give 16-17-year-olds in supported living a gift this Christmas as part of Norfolk County Council's Christmas Appeal.

Organised by the Children's Services Department, the campaign aims to give every child in supported living in Norfolk a gift, ensuring that young people have at least one present to open this Christmas.

More than 100 young people in Norfolk live in supported accommodation and can often spend Christmas alone, without their families. Supported living is a housing model that provides care and support to help people live independently. The Christmas Collection campaign has been running for several years and gives the people of Norfolk the chance to show how much they care by donating gifts and voucher to young people living in supported accommodation.

People can give via physical gifts that can be dropped off at Norfolk Libraries during opening hours, or digitally by purchasing hampers from Norfolk Jar Company or shopping vouchers from stores such as Boots, Primark, Sports Direct and Tesco. Physical gifts need to be stocking filler type items such as toiletries, gift sets, socks, blankets, small games, hats, gloves, and sweet treats. The collection asks residents to not donate candles.

Norfolk Jar Company have a created a bespoke £5 hamper containing hot chocolate, sweet bottles/jars, chocolates, lollies and lots more goodies, providing treats for young people over the Christmas season. These can be found at norfolkjarkitchen.co.uk and are called 'NNC Gift Appeal Hamper'.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, NCC's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said, "These gifts offer a small moment of joy for these young children facing difficult situations, who often feel alone and isolated, particularly at times such as Christmas. These may be the only gift some of them receive this year. Thank you to everybody who generously donates".

We've been amazed by the generosity that NCC staff and the public have shown over the last few years, and I'm sure that we'll see that matched again this year. Receiving these vouchers could be the only gift they get this year, so let's bring joy to as many as we can."

A young person who was given a gift last year said, "Last year we were given tickets to watch a film in Norwich, we had never been to a cinema before, and this made our Christmas special".

The deadline for donations is Saturday 14 December. This gives the collection time to sort and distribute gifts and vouchers before Christmas.

More information on the campaign and how to make a donation can be found at norfolk.gov.uk/christmasappeal.