Swansea’s festive spirit helping young families who need it most

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The people of Swansea have shown that the festive spirit is alive and well in the city by helping  care leavers and young families supported by Action for Children.  

The Mumbles Methodist community raised over £1,000 for hampers, a day out and a meal that for care leavers supported by Action for Children’s Western Bay Skills Plus service after hearing of the challenges this vulnerable group in society face at Christmas. 

Bethany Phillips, a young people’s practitioner with the service said: ‘The young people we support often do not celebrate Christmas in the same way most of us would. A number of them find Christmas to be a difficult and triggering season due to numerous reasons. They may have experienced family breakdown and trauma; they often do not have any contact with family and have lost the supportive network a family provides. Some are likely to be spending the day alone, or in supported accommodation rather than with family or friends. 

‘Although our young people struggle financially all year-round, Christmas can be a far more difficult time due to the usual festivities being inaccessible for them. Decorations, gifts, food, activities etc obviously cost a significant amount of money, which is generally not considered when they can struggle to pay rent, bills and buy food.  The generosity shown by the Mumbles Methodist community is overwhelming and just knowing that someone cares enough to do this for them will make a big difference to the Christmas they will experience this year.  We are very grateful indeed.’ 

Alpha Safety have also shown Christmas spirit by letting the Action for Children team use a room in their premises free of charge to sort presents from the annual Mr X present appeal in Swansea.  Danial Ahern, Head of Operations at Alpha Safety was very interested in Action for Children’s work in the city and beyond and also organised a donation of £250 worth of gifts for the parents, children and young people supported by Swansea Young Families and Skills Plus Western Bay. 

Alison Long, service coordinator for the Western Bay Skills Plus service, said: ‘The kindness and generosity shown by the Mumbles Methodist community, Alpha Safety and countless other individuals shows that in these very challenging times, a sense we should care for those less fortunate than ourselves shines brightly in Swansea.  Many of the young people and families we support simply cannot afford to buy presents or celebrate in ways we take for granted.  We’re really grateful to all those who donated money and gifts, it will make a huge difference to those who need it most.’ 

The Swansea Young Families service provides housing-related support in the home to young parents and expectant parents, aged 16-25, and their children while the Western Bay Skills Plus project is a psychosocial skills building intervention for young people leaving care aged between 16 and 24 years of age.