Child Friendly Warwickshire

For several years, Warwickshire County Council’s Children and Families service has partnered with various organisations and charities to support families and provide Christmas presents for their children. Donated gifts have ensured that Warwickshire’s care experienced young people, as well as other vulnerable children and young people across the county, have something to open on Christmas Day. 

In 2022, Child Friendly Warwickshire friends stepped up after what was a difficult year, with the continued impact of coronavirus being felt and the issues faced due to rising living costs. Hundreds of Warwickshire families benefitted as a result, thanks to the generosity of individuals and community groups who donated Christmas gifts.

These donations will have meant so much to children, young people and their families, and the thoughtfulness of these organisations is hugely appreciated. Embodying the spirit of the season, the scale of donations showed the kindness of Warwickshire residents – this is what makes a #ChildFriendlyWarwickshire. 

With thanks to: 

• Residents of L&Q Homes Beauchamp Park scheme, who donated a collection of toys and gifts
• Cornerstone Partnership, who donated a whopping 130 gifts
• Jaguar Land Rover (individuals and the Business Assurance team)
• Warwickshire Legal Services, who decided to donate presents instead of doing a team Secret Santa
• Staff and volunteers at the Market Hall Museum who accepted donations from early November

Gifts donated by L&Q Homes Beauchamp Park scheme

Two colleagues from Cornerstone Partnership standing in front of a car with a boot full of gifts

Donations from WLS in front of a Christmas Tree and the WLS logo

Through their relationships with local businesses and in partnership with the Salvation Army, the council’s Family Information Service were able to gift over 300 presents to children with staff members personally delivering presents across the county. 

For donations to the Family Information Service, a special mention goes to:  

• Tiny Town Nursery 
• Salvation Army Nuneaton 
• Salvation Army Rugby 
• Cadantis Associates 
• Wellesbourne Lions Club 
• Calor Gas 
• Heathcote Scout Group 
• And everyone else who contributed!

Some of the donations given this year were used as prizes during the Children and Families Service Children in Care Council and Youth Council Christmas Party. The evening was a great success with more than 30 children and young people attending, with a gift for each child kindly donated by Hobbycraft.   

Former Warwickshire foster carer Norma Wilson also continued her Christmas tradition, providing over 250 hampers for care leavers across the county - read more about this project here.  

The council has also supported collections elsewhere in the county. Over 1000 presents from residents and businesses were delivered to Ukraine by the Leamington Polish Centre. Child Friendly Warwickshire friend, Morrisons Leamington Spa, also supported the Polish Centre’s present drive with Operation Snowfall, collecting 62 shoeboxes full of gifts. 

Donated Christmas presents filling ambulance number 6, funded by local donations and on its way to Ukraine in time for Christmas. © Leamington Polish Centre.

Warwickshire County Councillor Jeff Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, said: “I’m really pleased that so many council colleagues and local organisations contributed to the many different gift appeals organised in 2022. The festive period is marked by gift giving and lots of us started Christmas shopping months before the big day. These generous individuals spent time, money and effort ensuring Warwickshire children who, for many reasons, may not have received any gifts, had something to open on Christmas morning. There are lots of ways to give back and this is just one that truly embodies the ethos of Child Friendly Warwickshire.”

To get involved with helping young people in your community, visit childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/involved.

Here’s to a kind and thoughtful 2023!