On December 19th 2024 it will be 181 years since Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was published... And yet it seems little has changed in terms of human suffering.
181 Emergency Appeal Donations
Every donation helps families access vital mental health services
Since the pandemic, and the subsequent cost of living crisis, there has been an unprecedented increase in the mental health issues experienced by children, young people and adults across the UK.
Public services are stretched to their limits, unable to meet the new levels of demand. Everywhere we look, families are struggling to cope, sitting on unending waiting lists, or simply being told they are not eligible for the current available services.
Schools are unable to manage the increased complexity of the issues they are having to deal with every day. Children are struggling more than ever, having been unable to achieve key development milestones because of the pandemic, and many parents are unable to manage. With schools’ budgets slashed, rather than being able to bring in the additional support to meet their need, they are having to cut services.
The level of poverty has increased, with the cost-of-living soaring, and this is exacerbating mental health issues as well as reducing the resilience of those struggling, leaving them unable to cope.
The levels of isolation of individuals in our communities continues to grow since the pandemic. Isolation not only increases the struggles for those already affected by mental health issues but can often be the primary cause.
In this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.
Winter and Christmas are fast approaching. The nights are getting darker. It’s getting colder. Television and social media are filled with the expectations of a happy Christmas. The annual peak in poverty-related crises, domestic violence, addiction-related challenges and isolation are bearing down on us, increasing the need for help even further.
Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir. Have they no refuge or resource?' cried Scrooge.
The only difference since Dickensian times is the development in technology. Human struggles have become more visible.
‘Are there no prisons?' said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. ‘Are there no workhouses?' The bell struck twelve.
We are at crisis level in our communities with the level of need, and the bell has struck twelve.
Platform For Life, like many other charities, has stepped up to fill the gap. We are supporting families in our communities and schools who are struggling with their mental health and financial issues, desperately in need of help. We are doing the very best we can, but we too have a growing waiting list.
For the families we are able to help here in Chester, with the limited funding we have, there is the chance of a wonderful bright light at the end of a tunnel that, for many families, has been very dark, difficult, frightening and lonely.
I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy
We are incredibly proud of our team, the support they are providing, and the incredible differences they are making. But not only have public services been stretched to the limits, and school budgets slashed. Charities like Platform For Life have been hit by increased need, increased costs, reduced giving, and huge competition for much lower levels of funding.
Small charities make up 96% of the voluntary sector yet only receive 17% of the overall sector’s income. That’s a £9.9bn share of £58.7bn. This gap is widening.
Source: Lloyds Banking Foundation @ June 2023 #SmallButVital charities.
Christmas Past has gone, and Christmas Present provides imminent challenges for the families we need to support. We need to make sure that we are still here, and able to provide the support needed, to make the difference for our Chester families not just for this Christmas, but for future Christmases, and every day in between.
We can only do this with your help
So, 181 years after Ebenezer Scrooge discovered it wasn’t too late to make a difference, he hadn’t missed Christmas, and the spirits had done it all in one night, we are launching Platform for Life’s ‘181 Emergency Christmas Appeal’.
We want to make sure we can continue to make a difference, enabling not just the switch on of Christmas lights but, with our vital support, the switch on of the lights in the lives of the families we support.
The services Platform For Life provides with Counselling, Art Therapy, Play Therapy and a Family Support Worker are not only life changing but, in some cases, lifesaving. We have a big ask, and a big target, but we have a big job to do, and we can’t do it without your help. The parallels between today and 181 years ago are terrifying, but we can turn it around.
How can we turn it around?
We need to raise £125,000
I'm not sure how to thank someone who has saved my life because thank you isn't really enough. My children still have their mum and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
What will this allow us to do?
£125,000 will transform the lives of more than 900 people
This amount of money will enable us to directly support 181 children, young people and adults who are struggling with mental health issues. That’s one individual for every year since Ebenezer Scrooge was able, with the help of three ghosts, to turn his life around and see the beauty in the world again.
But the impact doesn’t stop there.
Not only would we be directly supporting 181 individuals; we know that for each of those people, we would also improve the lives of those around them. For every person we help, the lives of at least four more people can change for the better.
In reality, £125,000 enables us to improve the lives of more than 900 people.
I don't think my daughter would have been here for her 18th birthday if it wasn't for you.
What happens if we aren’t able to raise these funds?
We can see the challenges we are facing ahead of us. We want to be here next Christmas, and for many Christmases to come. So please, for the families in our communities, donate now to help us continue to change and save lives.
Whatever you can give, no matter how small, it will make a difference.
This therapy has saved my life. If it wasn't for this therapy, I would have ended it a long time ago.
How can you help?
Just head to our donation page and you could set up a monthly donation, or you could give a one-off donation.
Alternatively if you’d like to raise funds for Platform For Life in other ways, just head to our Support Us page for ideas, and get in touch.
Finally…
Please share our appeal far and wide.
You helped me have a better life.
