Kind-hearted employees at NFU Mutual in Stratford-upon-Avon have helped brighten Christmas for Warwickshire people living in housing trust properties who would otherwise be homeless.
Staff at the National Intermediary Services department at NFU Mutual have clubbed together to create 14 treat-laden Christmas boxes destined for residents living in Derventio Housing Trust properties in Warwick.
The housing trust provides accommodation to around 1200 people in the UK each year who are at risk of homelessness.
Every year Derventio Housing Trust runs an appeal asking for organisations to contribute festive boxes so that none of its residents is forgotten at Christmas time.
Residents living in the trust’s properties often face a bleak festive season having become estranged from friends and family with no money for treats to make things special on Christmas day.
Since running the appeal the housing trust has reported a big uplift in mood from residents who are genuinely surprised to get anything at Christmas time.
Having started up in Warwick in 2020, the trust has grown as more and more people face losing their homes in a cost of living crisis.
Now Derventio Housing Trust operates 14 houses in Warwick providing housing for 68 people who have been through tough times in their lives.
This is the third year running that employees at NFU Mutual have created the boxes full of Christmas goodies so that residents who facing a lonely festive season are given some treats too.
Rachel Taylor, from NFU Mutual, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Derventio Housing Trust residents once again with our Christmas boxes. This time of year is all about giving and at NFU Mutual it’s important to us to give back to the communities we serve. We hope that our Christmas boxes provide some much-needed cheer to Derventio Housing Trust homes where the festive season may look very different to how it does for many of us.”
Penny Wiltshire, area manager for Derventio Housing Trust in Warwickshire, said: “Wow – NFU Mutual has really done it again, they have pulled out all the stops to provide us with some really fabulous Christmas boxes this year. They are all beautifully wrapped and I know will go a long way to helping residents enjoy the festive season – which is extremely tough for many of them.”
Many Derventio Housing Trust residents have faced very challenging situations, including financial difficulties struggles with alcohol and drug use and poor mental health.
The trust not only provides accommodation but also a suite of support services designed to help people get their lives back on track, delivered by dedicated staff.
Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust, said: “Thank you so much to NFU Mutual for once again providing wonderful boxes of Christmas treats for residents living in Derventio Housing Trust properties in Warwickshire. For many people living in supported housing like ours, Christmas is not a celebration but a reminder of what they have lost. Across our housing, people of all ages are working hard to rebuild their lives. Some are recovering from trauma or ill health. Others are taking steps towards employment or education. Many are trying to restore stability and confidence after experiencing homelessness.
“Small acts of kindness during the festive season can help strengthen this progress by reducing loneliness and helping people feel more connected to their community. We have had people tell us in the past that they are expecting to eat beans on toast on their own in the kitchen. A simple box of treats may not seem like much but to many residents it really does mean the world.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of Derventio Housing Trust by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
