Making a Difference this Christmas Time
In the final run up to the Christmas, many of us have just had our Christmas plans changed, are longing for a normal Christmas, or now panic-buying because we can’t travel to see our relatives as we’d hoped. In previous years, parents have spent their time hunting for the must have toy of the year, we all look for the perfect presents for our loved ones. At home, we put up our Christmas lights, decorate the tree, hang Christmas cards.
This year, we’ve been able to do some of those things, but we’ve also had, and continue to have, the opportunity to make a real difference. Not only to the lives of our children and young people, but to our small, local, independent businesses, many of whom were forced to close their doors for lockdown one, and then, once again for lockdown two.
From the 2nd December, these small businesses were able to reopen, and hopefully be able to make up for lost time, and benefit from the Christmas period. It’s with this in mind, that we urge you to prioritise community over convenience, independent over instant. Because buying from these companies will make a difference to those who work for them, those who make products for them.
As a Social Enterprise, we are driven by social objectives, and our surplus is reinvested into the organisation, or the community, rather than creating profit. We reinvest a percentage of our surplus with the sole aim of achieving the best outcomes for the children in our care. This includes a significant reinvestment in our research and training programmes, practice development teams and human resources. We’ve also launched our befriending scheme for Five Rivers Care Leavers, aged 18-25 to offer advice, guidance and support to them.
In addition to this, we have made a commitment to use local suppliers and other social enterprises, and this year we’ve encouraged our staff, suppliers, children and foster carers to ‘Buy Local, Buy Social’.
Now, we’re reaffirming that message, because we can continue to make a meaningful change, supporting your local high streets, small independent business and social enterprises, and encouraging your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to do the same. Make something positive come out of 2020. Make a positive change.
Check out the Social Enterprise UK ‘Presents with Purpose’ Gift Guide 2020 here: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/campaigns/christmas/