Trust partners bring Christmas to thousands of children

Trust partners bring Christmas to thousands of children, proving we truly are Birmingham's biggest family.

Birmingham Children's Trust's Winter Hub was set up in October to support vulnerable children, young people and families throughout winter 2020. With the help of our incredible partners and committed members of the local community, the Hub has seen an unprecedented level of success. In total our partners and members of the community have provided over 10,000 gifts for children in care and care leavers. 

The generosity of businesses and ordinary people in Birmingham has blown us away

Corporate Parenting Manager, Natalie Loon said, "We are always proud of our city but the generosity of businesses and ordinary people in Birmingham has blown us away this year. We truly are Birmingham's Biggest Family." 

Highlights from our partners 

72 partners have joined forces with the Trust's Winter Hub to raise money, donate presents and volunteer their time to bring some festive cheer to as many children and young people as possible this winter. 

Trust apprentices worked with young people to create an online Wishlist. This list was shared throughout the Jacobs Birmingham network and resulted in over 3,000 presents arriving at the Winter Hub throughout November and December. Thank you to everyone at Jacobs Birmingham who has supported us this winter! 

Birmingham Children's Trust apprentice Maisie, takes delivery of some presents as they arrive at the Trust's Winter Hub.

With so many donations, making sure that they reached the right children and young people became a serious logistical challenge. Luckily, we knew that we could rely on incredible volunteers throughout the city. We want to thank West Midlands Fire Service, SPV, Evolve and Talking Life who have all volunteered their valuable time to work alongside Birmingham Children's Trust to distribute presents to children and young people this Christmas. 

Joseph Chamberlain College has been focusing on working with local businesses this year. As a result, they asked members of their community to collect donations of new toys and toy hampers for the Trust young. Within two weeks of their initial request, a minibus bursting with toy hampers arrived at the Hub in Birmingham city centre. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this collection. 

After a year of fantastic partnership work with the Trust Edgbaston Foundation, together with Thrive Birmingham donated 500 toys to the Winter Hub. 

Community generosity 

A generous Birmingham couple have been fundraising in their local community to raise funds for vulnerable children and young people. In total they raised an outstanding £1,500 and provided bespoke gifts for young parents, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and adults and care leavers. 

GMB Trade Union representative and Trust staff member Christine Mooney also led a campaign with the GMB team, raising £500 for the Winter Hub. 

Virtual Winter Wonderland

Every December, Birmingham Children's Trust organises a winter wonderland to allow our children and young people to come together with each other and their siblings and celebrate the end of the year. Although we have been unable to meet in person this year, our wonderful partners at Moreton Reynolds have bought the celebrations online! Our Virtual Wonderland was livestreamed on our YouTube channel on Tuesday 22 December. 

Catch up now to meet Santa, sing along to some Christmas songs and make some new snowmen friends!

Watch the video

Thank you!

We thank all our remarkable partners and supporters for their time and generosity. Although there are too many of you to thank here, we hope you know how grateful we are. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with you all to thank you in person or online. We look forward to another year working together in 2021. 

To find out how you or your business can get involved, please email our Corporate Parenting Manager, Natalie Loon at: Natalie.Loon@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk