How to support Paddington charities this Christmas

How to support - older people

Penfold Community Hub is a dedicated centre offering a range of weekly activities for people aged 50 plus, in addition to advice and information. The programme of classes includes exercise sessions, IT support and arts and craft activities. The Hub also has approximately 50 tenants living in residential accommodation on the site. Penfold Community Hub is seeking donations of Tesco vouchers, toiletries and non-perishable food items to make up small parcels to be distributed to their residents and other nearby sheltered housing schemes.

How to support - those with learning disabilities and autism

PiP (Pursuing Independent Paths) works with local adults with learning disabilities and autism. Their vision is to live in a world where people with learning disabilities and autism are valued for their skills and talents and able to do all the things non-disabled people take for granted. This Christmas, any donations to PiP will be doubled if made during The Big Give (30 November – 7 December) – please see here for further information on how to donate, how to hire their social enterprise Fruitful for your business or to browse their Etsy shop stocked with student-made designs.

LDN London works with children and adults with learning disabilities and supports them to stay healthy, be safe and live well in a society which values them as equal citizens. Every year, the charity drives around all 44 of their services with a Christmas hamper full of festive goodies for the people they support and their staff. Any gift towards the content of these hampers would be gratefully received. To make a financial donation to LDN London, please click here.

How to support - those at risk of homelessness

The Marylebone Project is a registered social landlord providing 112 long- and short-term beds to homeless women and offering essential facilities and support to women who visit their rough sleepers’ drop-in at the Marylebone Centre. The Marylebone Project collects gifts of Christmas presents for their residents and would also very much appreciate donations of toiletries, particularly shower gel. To make a financial donation to the Marylebone Project, please click here.

How to support - local health charities

Imperial Health Charity provides grants to Imperial College Hospitals, including St Mary’s. These grants fund equipment, major redevelopment projects and research. The charity has an annual winter appeal. This year the campaign is called ‘Time for Play’ and will create a truly exceptional play space for seriously ill children at St Mary’s. Donations will be used to purchase play equipment designed to encourage curiosity, movement and interaction.

• £10 could buy simple multiplayer games such as Connect 4
• £20 could buy sensory balls to develop motor skills
• £50 could buy a set of percussion tubes

You can make a donation online or challenge yourself and sign up for a fundraising event. For those who would prefer to give toys, the Play Specialist team at St Mary’s have an ongoing wish list for Children’s Services via Amazon.

St John’s Hospice, an independent charity located within the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood, provides specialised palliative care to more than 4,000 terminally ill patients and their families every year. St John’s Hospice is seeking gifts of mince pies/wrapped chocolates/wrapped biscuits for either their Inpatient Unit Christmas day or for their Light up a Life celebration reception. They are also accepting ideas for raffle prizes, and have sponsorship opportunities available for their Light Up a Life event. To make a financial donation to St John’s Hospice, please click here.

All photographs of in-person volunteering activity were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.