Santa sacks filled for children in domestic abuse refuges this Christmas

Children living in domestic abuse refuges this Christmas will be getting a few more gifts from Santa thanks to East Midland’s Futures Housing Group and its contractors.

Futures and nine of its contractors donated over £3000’s worth of gifts to three refuges in the areas where the housing association’s homes are based. Over £5000 was raised in total from Futures and and its contractor’s, so the remaining money will be used to support more refuges in the coming year.

A number of organisations have generously helped Futures donate bags full of presents to hand over to Derbyshire Wish, along with Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) and Eve. 

Jude Horan, Manager of Refuge and Community Support at Derbyshire Wish said: “We have many families who flee their homes with very little and in some cases all they’re able to bring with them is what they’re wearing.”

Each bag handed over was filled with presents for every child at each refuge, including gifts for six months olds up to 16 year-olds, as well as their parents.

Jude added: “We aim to give our families a much deserved fun-filled period of positive memories. Our families often feel at this time of year that Christmas doesn’t apply to them and forgotten about – this donation is going to mean we can ensure this doesn’t happen!”

Louise, Outreach worker at Eve said: “We’re really grateful for what you’ve given and what you’ve done. It’s not just about Christmas, it’s the longevity of how long these gifts will go out for to those we help in the community as well as the refuge. It really does make a huge, huge difference.”

While the presents were handed over in gift bags, none of them were wrapped so the parent can see what the gift is first and wrap this themselves to give to their child.

Zelie Biswell, Head of Business at NDAS said: “These donations are immense. I know they’ll make very good use of everything you’ve provided. A lot of people here don’t like birthdays or Christmas because they’re uncomfortable times. They remind them of times when they were let down, when they were shown they’re not valued, so they shy away from that at times. Giving them these presents is the start of a healing process to let them know they’re worth something, that this is how it should be. This is what healthy looks like.”

Leann, Futures’ Safeguarding & Domestic Abuse Coordinator said: “It’s been amazing to see so many partners come together to join us at Futures to support children and victims of domestic abuse. The families have had to flee their homes with very little and now our contractors have presented them with such generosity.

“For someone who is a real chatterbox, I have been lost for words and overwhelmed by the support from our partners. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say thank you again for everyone’s support, and a very Merry Christmas!”