Every year, Hippychick extends a helping hand to those most in need at Christmas.
Last year the company donated several toys via the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal in Bridgwater, as well as through the Children’s Social Care team in Sedgemoor, Somerset.
This year, the company is turning its focus to refugee families in Bath & North East Somerset through Julian House in Bath, a charitable organisation which supports vulnerable and at-risk individuals, as well as offering a refugee resettlement service.
“The local council commission us to resettle people with ‘refugee’ status through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme,” commented Sally Harris, team leader of the Refuge Resettlement programme. “The scheme exists to enable the resettlement of those who have been identified by the United Nations as being the most vulnerable people fleeing persecution, violence, and life-threatening challenges in their countries of origin.
“We work mostly with families, many of whom have significant medical conditions and/or who have survived torture. The project supports and empowers families to rebuild their lives, move forwards from trauma, and live happily and independently in the UK.”
Sally continued: “We already have a growing community of Afghan and Syrian families who have recently resettled in our region and being able to provide gifts for the children will make them feel part of Christmas.
“We are so grateful to Hippychick for reaching out to us this year and we’re sure the families will be endlessly grateful, too.”
Hippychick has put together a selection of gifts for the children in each family ensuring that each is age appropriate and that they offer an educational dimension, designed to nurture healthy development in young children. Hippychick is also supplying essential baby equipment to three pregnant parents within the families.
Julia Minchin, founder and md at Hippychick, continued: “I along with the rest of the world, was so deeply affected by the recent events in Afghanistan and the desperate scenes of people trying to flee the country.
“These are small beginnings, but we hope to be able to continue to work with Julian House and extend our gift donations to more families in the coming months as they settle here in the UK.”
