There are over 80,000 children in foster care in the UK on any given day. Most of them are removed from their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. If they do have any personal belongings, they often don’t have a bag in which to carry them. 1 child enters care in the UK every 15 minutes, many carrying their belongings in bin bags or a plastic carrier bag, and 1 in 10 children in care move home more than twice in a year.
There is so much stigma for a child or young person in care that being made to feel that they or their worldly possessions are “disposable”, “worthless” or “rubbish” only adds to the stereotypes, judgement, shame, and guilt.
We work with Local Authorities, Independent Foster Agencies and Virtual Schools (among others) to provide young people with Comfort Cases: - a rucksack filled with items of comfort and necessity such as pyjamas, a stuffed animal to hug, a new toothbrush and a reading book. It does not replace the kindness of foster carers, but it a gift from the community to remind each and every young person - we see you, and you are worthy. Our 32-inch Duffel Bag eliminates the need for any kind of bin bag or plastic carrier bag being used both for young people in care and leaving care so they can always move with dignity.
PLEASE JOIN US AS WE ELIMINATE BIN BAGS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE.
For Mitzvah Day 2022, we are launching THE BIG KNIT where we are inviting generations to teach one another to knit or crochet brightly coloured squares which can then be joined together and made into a keepsake blanket for a young person in care. Use your imagination, choose vibrant colours, soft wool and give a child in care something hand made to cuddle up in when they made need a hug to remind them, they are loved! The blankets we use are 120 x 150cm so please bear this in mind when making your beautiful squares.
If you are a more experienced knitter or crocheter and can make homemade figures (up to 12” tall), we love to receive them too!
If you want to hold a Collect-a-Thon for us, the list of items is below. Children in care are so accustomed to receiving pre-loved items, that we insist they deserve to receive brand new and unused gifts in their Comfort Cases (except for reading books)
Comfort Cases UK Collection List:
- 40cm rucksack
- pyjamas with tags
- blankets (120 x 150cm)
- toothbrush
- mini toothpastes (ask your dentists for free samples)
- travel or hotel size toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, soaps, body wash, body lotion
- roll-on deodorant
- sanitary towels
- colouring books
- crayons or colouring pencils
- HB pencils
- biros
- lined or blank A5 notebooks
- stuffed toys
- reading book