Incommunities delivers biggest-ever Christmas gift and hamper appeal to support Bradford communities
We're delivering our biggest and most impactful Christmas support programme to date, with almost 300 gifts and hampers being donated to customers across the district.
In total, 179 households have been nominated for donations, including 53 families with 136 children. Every child will receive a gift tailored to their age, and some households will receive a hamper.
Anna Newton, Head of Health and Housing said: “This year's Christmas appeal is bigger and better than anything we've done before.
“We know that lots of our customers are going through a tough time, and this is our way of being able to let them know that they're not alone, and we support them.
“The generosity shown by our colleagues, contractors and partners has been incredible, and it means we can support hundreds of people across Bradford at a time when it really matters. We're proud to be part of a community that looks out for one another.”
Customers were nominated by Incommunities colleagues and fellow customers, as well as through community events. Nominations came from across the organisation, including Gas Engineers, Customer Service Agents, Income Officers and Neighbourhood Housing Officers. Those making nominations were asked to explain who they were nominating and why
Anna went on to say; “many of the nominations highlight themes of loneliness, isolation and hardship, alongside stories of people who make a positive difference in their communities. Others include customers facing serious illness, families who have lost loved ones.
“I won't say what's in the hampers and gifts as we want to keep it a surprise, but there's something for everyone in the home, and all of these gifts and hampers have been made with love and care.”
One customer, who lives alone and is battling cancer. Another customer, who recently lost his closest friend and was at risk of homelessness, has been supported back into a stable home and nominated to ensure someone is thinking of him this Christmas.
The appeal has been made possible thanks to the generosity of colleagues, contractors and community partners. Incommunities staff put together 88 hampers, funded by £5,000 in donations from contractors. Garth's Builders delivered 25 personalised hampers and gifts, while Green Gnomes donated 180 shoeboxes of gifts.
Nicola Metcalf, Office Manager at Garth's Builders said, “When we heard the stories of those who needed support this Christmas, we felt a responsibility to help in whatever way we could.
“Some of the stories truly stopped us in our tracks. As parents, reading about the children who had recently lost their mum, and a husband facing his first Christmas without his wife, was heartbreaking. It made us think of our own families and how devastating that would be. We wanted, even in a small way, to help bring some comfort during such an unimaginably difficult time.
“That's why our team came together to prepare 25 hampers and gift boxes. Every item was chosen with genuine thought and compassion, shaped by the real stories we were given. We wanted each person receiving a hamper to feel valued, supported and remembered.”
The gifts and hampers will be delivered from 22 December through to Christmas Eve, with customers receiving a phone call ahead of delivery. Incommunities colleagues will personally deliver the items to ensure they reach those most in need at the right time.
Any additional gifts and hampers will be donated to local community partners.
Incommunities colleagues have also volunteered their time, packing hampers and helping ensure everything is ready for delivery. Alongside this, more than 34 Incommunities colleagues have given up their time to support Bradford North Foodbank, helping to organise and prepare supplies during one of the busiest times of the year.
This year, instead of sending Christmas cards, Incommunities has also made a £2,000 donation to Bradford North Foodbank, recognising the vital support it provides to people across Bradford.