Staff and students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) can get involved in a number of activities led by DMU Local to help spread the Christmas joy and support the elderly and vulnerable this Christmas.
In support of Age UK’s ‘Not Forgotten this Winter’ campaign, which aims to provide care packages for those in need, DMU Local has introduced a Virtual Greeting Card campaign to work alongside it.
Staff and students can share a message via email to be printed on a Christmas postcard for the elderly, to help combat social isolation and loneliness this Christmas and put a smile on the face of those in need.
The DMU branded greeting cards will then be sent along with the Age UK care packages to bring some festive cheer.
DMU Local volunteers at Christmas Dinner in 2019
As part of the Christmas initiative, all staff and students can help support those in need across Leicestershire by making food donations. DMU Local is working with food banks to ensure various food items reach those in need of support.
Due to Covid-19, food banks are currently running low on stock, so staff and students who would like to donate can do so. A food cage has been set up at Campus Centre to drop off donations, open between 7.30am-7pm, Monday-Friday, until December 11.
DMU Local has been working closely with the E2 Community hub and Wesley Hall, from Beaumont Leys and Spinney Hills respectively. All food donations will be split across both food banks ensuring the local communities which are elderly, isolated and vulnerable won’t be forgotten this winter.
In addition, a digital fundraising option has been set up for staff to allow donations to be made electronically. Anyone can donate and all proceeds will be donated to Leicestershire Carers, a charity which supports the elderly, isolated and vulnerable across Leicestershire.
Make a donation here.
Donations will be used as part of Leicestershire Carers initiative ‘Together We Care’ packages which aim to lift the spirits and spread the joy to people across the city and county who are having a challenging time due to Covid-19.
DMU Local has sponsored £1,000 to this initiative and the packages will be distributed to vulnerable young adults and older people who have been affected either, financially or through isolation and loneliness.
Fi Donovan, Head of Public Engagement, Social Impact and Engagement said: “For the past few years DMU Local has been organising a big community Christmas lunch for the elderly and isolated, delivered by many enthusiastic student volunteers.
“This year the pandemic has made this impossible, but the issues facing the elderly and vulnerable around Christmas time has not gone away. Having been through many months of lockdown I think this year we can all better relate to feeling socially isolated.
“Including a personal message from DMU staff and students with every care package delivered by Age UK this Christmas is a wonderful way in which we can connect with people across Leicester. We hope many of our students and staff take the opportunity to email through a message or donate items to the collection for local foodbanks.”
Posted on Wednesday 25 November 2020