Christmas should be a joyous time of presents, food and family and entertainment.
But this year many families are facing a bleak festive season.
They are worried about how they will pay their bills and how they will heat their homes.
That is why we are calling on warm-hearted Mirror readers to help make sure nobody is left out in the cold this winter.
This year’s Christmas Appeal is raising funds for the Warm Welcome project which provides community spaces where people can stay safe and warm.
Hundreds of Warm Welcome venues are opening their doors across the country. They include libraries, places of worship, community centres and small business.
They are free and everyone is welcome.
Your support will help pay for the cost of heating the buildings and, where possible, provide food, hot drinks and toys for children.
The need for warmth and friendship has rarely been greater.
More than 16 million people will be in fuel poverty this winter - meaning they cannot afford to heat their homes to an adequate temperature.
A recent survey found that 40% of households will be living in cold homes because of soaring energy costs.
Thanks to Warm Welcome people, young and old, will have a place where they can keep warm and find support and friendship.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown today backs the appeal, saying: “This crisis goes far beyond politics; this is a moral issue - our responsibilities to our neighbours and in particular to those who have the least and whose needs are the greatest.
“I want to thank Mirror readers for supporting Warm Welcome. At all times when things have been difficult Mirror readers have stepped in and stepped up.”
Warm Welcome is coordinated by the Good Faith Partnership and is supported by the Salvation Army, Libraries Connected, Muslim Council of Britain, Neighbourly, Christians Against Poverty, Acts 435, Safe Families, Edge Ministries and the Together Coalition among others.
Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected said: “At Libraries Connected we know that public libraries are determined to help people during the difficult months ahead.
“We’re proud to be a partner of the Warm Welcome Network, which is playing such a vital role by bringing together all the community organisations that have stepped up to offer a warm space and friendly face this winter.”
Dr Eli Gardner, co-Founder of Kids Matter, added: “We know this is going to be a tough winter for many, with our youngest children most at risk. Having places for families to go that are local, warm and welcoming will make a big difference.
“The Warm Welcome initiative is a simple and effective way of connecting people and places so no one needs to struggle alone.”
- Warm Welcome has set up an online map at warmwelcome.uk where you can find your nearest centre or volunteer to help.
'I feel like I'm failing as a parent...'
Diabetic Kerry is getting used to being cold and hungry. Warming her hands on a cup of tea, she says rising costs and high energy bills mean she often doesn’t have enough money to buy fuel or food, and can’t
always run the fridge to store medicine.
The 44-year-old says: “I had to go without electricity for two weeks because I couldn’t afford it. This meant I couldn’t keep my insulin in the fridge.”
But she adds: “Bit by bit and thanks to the local community, I have furnished my flat.” Kerry has started going to Kettle’s On, a community project at Daybrook Baptist Church.
She says of the group in Arnold, Notts: “At the start I didn’t know anyone but it has been great to socialise with people.
“I never knew how strong the community was in Arnold – everyone always looks out for one another. I have been
in a really dark place and they have supported me. I can even bring my dog, Poppy.”
The Kettle’s On service launched earlier this year as an extension of Arnold Food Bank, run by the Trussell Trust and the church. It has evolved from a food bank to a warm social space – part of the Warm Welcome UK network.
Once a week, it provides help to anyone who needs it and regularly attracts 20 visitors each session.
As the winter weather worsens, it will be opening more and more.
Beverly Sutton, 59, uses the warm space and says community and helping others is more important than ever.
She says: “I just about manage to pay my rent and buy some food but the food bank is a good top-up.
“I worked in a supermarket for many years in Essex but I recently relocated to Nottingham to be closer to my son. I was hoping for a transfer but I couldn’t get one. I’m on Universal Credit… it makes you feel guilty. We’re all trying to ride the storm together.”
Mum-of-five Kayleigh Ramsay, 31, adds: “I’m going hungry because my kids come first. I make sure they are fed first.
“My gas and electricity was £74, now it is £350.
“I’m not going to put my heating on but we shouldn’t have to be living like this. There needs to be more help.
“We’re all sitting there in our onesies… I feel belittled. I feel like I’m failing in my duty as a parent. I’m struggling between paying the bills and the rent. I’m behind on my rent.” One 62-year-old man, who did not wish to be named, told how he had been made homeless last year.
He says: “I spent last winter sleeping in my car. I then went to a night shelter and now I finally have my own place but everything has gone up sky-high.
“I’m on UC and get £440 which I use on food and bills. I’m too scared to turn the heating on and run the risk of a big bill, which will take me years to pay off.
“This has probably been the worst I’ve seen.
“Why are the mega rich not getting taxed
like us? It is unfair I’m being taxed on my pension. We’re all being penalised.
“I took a private pension out. I stopped working because of an accident, I was self-employed. Before this I worked in the mines. I never thought I would be in this place.”
Helen Lloyd, the food bank manager, says: “The main concern for many is keeping up with the bills. They come here because they can’t afford food.”
Helen, who has been working at the food bank for more than a decade, believes the £400
energy discount helps, but she has never seen things so bad before.
She adds: “The dynamic of people
we see is so varied now, from in-work poverty, to families and those on benefit deductions.
“We have people on prepayment meters who top up but quickly get disconnected because there is debt on there that needs paying.”
Nearby, Gio, 76, and his wife Barbara, 81, have come to the church to get
cosy for the first time. Barbara says: “We only put the heating on twice a day and we always go for things on special offer when shopping. Saving that bit of money does make a difference
“We are dipping into our savings, which we have never had to do before.”
Former care worker Carla has already told her children that this won’t be a great Christmas.
The mum-of-four had a tough time getting through October after having
to quit her care worker job due to ill health. She has only recently been discharged from hospital.
Carla says: “This last month has been hard. We’ve had no gas or electricity.
“This is my first time here. My rent is over £600 and I’m not getting the full Universal Credit so this month has been the hardest.
“The children know they won’t be getting anything for Christmas.”
