Christmas cheer for young people in need of a little extra support

Cambridge Campus (@CRC_College) engineering lecturer, Helen Druiff has been working with the Hurst Park Estate and neighbouring residents to collect donations for care packages for young people in need this Christmas.

The team of volunteers collected a significant amount of donations while raising over £475 in the process, which will be used to purchase gift cards to enable young people living independently in hostel accomodation to buy essential items.

Meanwhile in Huntingdon, the Earl of Sandwich Memorial Trust has funded Christmas care packages for students residing at the Kings Ripton Court, a specialist housing solution for young people aged between 16-25 yrs.

With the support of the CRC Student Services team, a total of 70 Christmas care packages, made up of essential items and small gifts, have been put together for distribution throughout December.

Sarah-Jo Jefford said,

“The Student Support team are very grateful for this act of kindness. It will make a huge difference to the students we support, many of whom face a variety of challenges that are often enhanced at Christmas.”

Wellbeing Lead, Tasha Matthews added,

“Our students have been really touched by the kindness shown in the gifting of these care packages. It’s been a pleasure to be involved the project, supporting learners that we have been working closely with for a long time. Hearing the words ‘Is this for us? Are you for real?’ really brings home the difference we can make to young people.”

Using surplus items, the team have stockpiled an emergency supply of toiletries and small denomination vouchers for students in housing crisis. In recent weeks, the team have also been able to support Social Care with care packages for young people, and donations of toiletries, sweets and games have been made to local Red Hen Project and Women’s Aid.