Many young people in the care system will be alone this Christmas, but Greater Manchester Youth Network is bringing the festive spirit to the young people they support.
It will cost £30,000 this December to provide vital ongoing support to 80 care experienced young people, so the charity are asking for the public’s help to raise £10,000 towards this cost for their Christmas appeal.
Christmas can be tough for cared-for young people, and GMYN will be offering crucial support over December to support young people’s mental health.
As well as support for all young people the charity supports, GMYN are also hosting a Christmas Dinner for those that can’t spend the day with family and friends, so that they can celebrate the festivities like everyone else.
Care leavers aged 18 to 25 from across Manchester are being invited by the charity to join them on Christmas Day in Bury.
The Care Leaver Christmas Dinner was founded in 2013 by poet and writer, Lemn Sissay. Since 2013 the idea has spread across the UK. Each Dinner has its own local flavour and is organised by teams of volunteers drawn from the local community.
Alex Fairweather, CEO and Founder of GMYN, says: “We are so grateful for those that have supported our Christmas appeal so far, and hope others are able to donate to get us closer to the £10,000 we are urgently in need of to fund our activities this December.
“The support we offer to young people over the season is vital in ensuring no one is alone over what can be a challenging time for some. Your support will bring safety, joy and friendship to those who need it most this festive season.”
GMYN supports young people aged 10-25 from across Greater Manchester by offering innovative and exciting opportunities that build vital skills and improves their health and wellbeing.
GMYN’s goal is that young people are safe, heard, and capable of great things, charities like this are vital to ensure young people are given every opportunity to succeed.
If you know of any care leavers that are spending Christmas Day alone, please share thereferral form so GMYN can ensure that this opportunity is available to all those who need it.
To help support GMYN with the £30,000 this month will cost them to help the young people of Greater Manchester, please see GMYN’s Just Giving page.
