A CHARITY in Scotland is helping Christmas wishes come true this festive season.
Who Cares? Scotland are behind the Winter Wishes campaign, inviting care experienced people to make a wish this Christmas and ask for a gift for themselves or a loved one.
Open to people who are or have been in care – including through children’s homes, foster care, kinship care or looked after at home – wishes are already being received.
Building on the success of last year, during which over 250 wishes were granted and 2,000 festive parcels delivered, this year’s campaign has already received 300 responses.
Beginning in 2014, the charity has hosted an annual Care Family Christmas Dinner on Christmas day.
However, this was not possible in 2020, so the idea of granting wishes was born.
Louise Hunter, Chief Executive of Who Cares? Scotland, said: “Everyone deserves to feel the warmth and joy the festive season brings, regardless of if they celebrate Christmas or not.
“We know that for many care experienced people that this time of year can be a challenging time due to lack of family relationships and support services closing for Christmas.
“That is why we want to reach as many care experienced people as possible this year with our Winter Wishes campaign to let them know we’re still here and to give them something special.
“Making these wishes a reality is only possible thanks to support of our amazing volunteers and donors.
“They will help make sure a care experienced person can enjoy a fresh meal this festive period, that they can give or receive a gift and will make sure hundreds of young people have something to look forward to after 20 months of isolation.”
Wishes received so far have included for winter clothes, Christmas decorations, games, books, items for homes and gifts for children.
In addition to the wish, the charity is also offering the option of receiving a week’s worth of meals, delivered from Hello Fresh or Just Eat.
Megan Moffat, a care experienced person and Vice Chair of the board at Who Cares? Scotland, said: “Christmas is about belonging, love and community, I know I’m lucky to have my family now but for a long time I didn’t.
“Thankfully, Who Cares? Scotland has been the family for me, and many other care experienced people, during this time.
“This year, it’s going to be slightly different until we can safely come together in person. But that doesn’t mean it has to be anything less for care experienced people.
“There would be no Christmas for us without the generosity of those who donate and volunteer to make sure Who Cares? Scotland can be there for the care experienced community every winter, and all year round.”
