Buy a care leaver a present this Christmas

Tuesday, 19 December 2023 00:00

Can you help bring a little festive cheer to a young care leavers Christmas this year?

A Wiltshire Council team manager for the Through Care Services team is hoping that we can help do just that.

Samantha Heathcote has put together an Amazon Wishlist for people to buy a present for a young person who is 'care experienced' this Christmas.

Being care experienced means that a person has spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends, either officially or informally without local authority support.

Samantha told Salisbury Radio, "This is my 4th year of running this to spread some festive cheer for Wiltshire Council's care experienced young people.

"Being care experienced myself I am aware of how lonely and isolating Christmas can be, and the smile a little voucher can bring to someone who might be finding Christmas really tough goes a long way."

To help spread the festive cheer, it is really easy. Follow the link below, and a gift card will be delivered to Wiltshire Council's offices where they are kept securely. The gift cards will then be delivered by the team of personal advisors over the festive period.

Samantha added, "We normally aim to do this between Christmas and New Year when moods are low so they can get themselves a little treat from Amazon: fluffy socks, chocolates, who knows, whatever brings a smile."

To purchase a gift voucher for a young care experienced person, click this link. (Click Wiltshire Council Children in Care Team Gift Registry Address at checkout) https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1HWGT1TWIXJU