Annual Campaign To Support Good Causes Making A Difference Across The Country This Christmas
On the eve of the festive season, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF) has announced its annual round of donations to a range of good causes across the country.
Through the IMCF, colleagues from each of Irwin Mitchell’s regional offices have nominated 28 local foodbanks and homeless charities to receive a share of the £137,500 donation this winter, to support their vital work helping vulnerable people.
Founded in 1997, the IMCF is an independent charity that has now raised over £3 million for good causes in the UK and abroad. This year’s donations are made possible thanks to the generosity of Irwin Mitchell and its employees who support the IMCF via the firm’s Give As You Earn scheme. Supporting foodbanks and homeless charities in the communities in which they operate during the festive season, has become a tradition for Irwin Mitchell and the IMCF.
Due to the cost of living crisis, many thousands of people already rely on the essential services provided by these charities. However, demand for services increases over the winter months due to the impact of colder weather.
The full list of the 28 charities being supported this year includes:
Location |
Name of charity and what they do |
Birmingham |
St Chad’s Sanctuary is a charity for asylum seekers who are homeless, focusing on providing basic goods such as clothing and food.
RMC: Refugee and Migrant Centre is a drop-in charity that helps refugees and migrants by removing barriers to integration, providing food and support for homeless people. |
Bristol |
Caring in Bristol is a charity that supports people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. |
Cardiff |
Cardiff Foodbank (The Trussell Trust) provides emergency food and support to people in the Cardiff area. Huggard is a charity that helps people who are experiencing homelessness in Cardiff. |
Cambridge |
Jimmy’s Shelter is a community-based charity providing both support and housing to people who are sleeping rough. Cambridge City Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. |
Chichester |
Stonepillow is a local charity supporting homeless people in Chichester. Chichester District Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network of foodbanks supporting people in crisis. |
Gatwick |
Ten Little Toes Baby Bank offers support to families and parents in crisis or facing difficult circumstances. Crawley Open House provides support and services for those suffering the effects of homelessness, unemployment, loneliness, or discrimination. |
Glasgow |
Simon Community Scotland helps find someone a safe place and access vital support services, hot meals and warm clothing. |
Leeds |
Simon on the Streets is an independent charity that delivers outreach on the streets to the homeless community and those that are most vulnerable in Leeds and Bradford. Project Hope helps families and individuals in the most disadvantaged of communities to break the poverty cycle. |
Liverpool |
St Andrews Community Network – North Liverpool Foodbank helps local people living in crisis. |
London |
Whitechapel Mission provides homeless shelter in London, offering free food, showers, clothing, and advice. The Felix Project is a food redistribution charity in London fighting food waste and hunger. |
Manchester |
Angels of Hope for Women is an organisation that runs outreach services to women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse and other harmful practices living in sheltered accommodation. Mustard Tree combats and prevents poverty, inequality, and homelessness across Greater Manchester. |
Newbury/Reading |
Launchpad Reading is a homelessness prevention charity, providing vital information and support for individuals, couples and families who don’t have stable place to live or are at risk of losing their home. Newbury Soup Kitchen is a voluntary organisation providing help and support to the homeless and vulnerable community. |
Newcastle |
Feeding Families is a charity that offers support, hope and security to those experiencing food poverty. The People’s Kitchen is a voluntary organisation that supports vulnerable people in the community. |
Sheffield |
The Sunday Centre is a charity that supports homeless people in Sheffield. S6 Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network of foodbanks that supports local people in need. |
Southampton |
Lifehouse Portsmouth is a free food kitchen, resource and support centre. Society of St James helps vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. Step by Step is a charity that supports local young people who are going through hard times. |
Expert Opinion
“Support for key organisations in our communities during the festive period has been a hallmark of our charitable work for many years now. The IMCF, together with our colleagues at Irwin Mitchell, are proud to be able to continue this tradition and to be able to make our winter donations again this year.
“Life is tough for very many people in our communities right now. The after-effects of the pandemic, coupled with a cost of living crisis, has put huge strain on those most in need. The charities who work to help them face reduced donations, while seeing increased demand for their services.
“We remain absolutely committed to playing our part in supporting vulnerable people where we can.” Adrian Budgen, Partner