Winter has come and it can be the hardest of seasons for some to navigate, it’s not always cosy nights in and twinkling lights sometimes for some it’s just darkness.  It’s brings the pressure of Christmas and for families with limited funds it feels impossible to create that magical Christmas spirit that we are constantly being reminded of.

It isn’t always possible to find money for Christmas gifts, Santa toys, food, electricity, heating, clothes and all the added extras that Christmas is supposed to have to make it special.  Women are the heart of a home and they do almost anything to make sure their families have everything that they need, even if that means getting into to significant debt.  When you are desperate you will turn to whatever money lender is available regardless of who they are and what interest rates are attached.

It’s a think now worry later kind of situation, things can get out of control quickly, repayments are missed and interest starts building, strangers start knocking at the door to recoup the money borrowed and making threats.  Women live in fear and sometimes violence is used to force women into illegal situations.

Women’s Centre throughout the North West have witnessed these types of situations for years and we can see very clearly that it’s growing year by year. Desperation drives women and families into very precarious situations so we try to ease the burden organising Toy Appeals, Social Supermarkets, Food Vouchers, clothes drives etc.  Giving people a dignified choice and some support when they need it most allows all of us to engage in the magic of Christmas.