Our Community Development Team are proud to announce the fantastic results of this year's #BagsOfHope Campaign, which took place during the 2022 festive period.
This amazing project, which takes place every year, aims to transform despair into hope for communities that are in danger of being left behind. By collaborating with our business members, local authorities, and community partners, #BagsOfHope sees bags filled with essential items and festive treats before being delivered to countless people throughout Leicestershire.
A massive thank you to Leicestershire Cares for providing so many bags for the playground! It was heartwarming seeing the look on the children's faces when they were handed their bags and saw the toys, chocolates, and colouring books inside - they were absolutely over the moon!
Kevin Sheriff, Manager at Highfields Adventure Playground
The festive period can be a difficult time for those in vulnerable or disadvantaged parts of the city and county. With risks of social isolation, pressures from the holidays, and increased household bills in the winter - increases that became all the worse with the cost-of-living crisis - the vital support #BagsOfHope provides can make a powerful difference in people's lives.
This year, the Community Development Team set out to reach more communities in the city and county than ever before. From national and cultural centres, to homelessness charities, to cancer support groups, to grassroots boxing clubs, they've worked tirelessly to make connections and meet community need.
The bags provided to us by Leicestershire Cares have all been delivered throughout Belgrave, just in time for Christmas. Thank you to Leicestershire Cares and all the organisations that supported this initiative. You really made a difference, and we're so grateful for your tremendous generosity.
Nita Solanki, Councillor for Belgrave Ward
The Community Development Team are delighted to be able to share the grand totals for the 2022 campaign:
- 1108 bags delivered
- Going to a total of 34 different community groups in the city and county
- With the support of 24 businesses and local authorities
- Taking in a total £420 of monetary donations
Thank you to Leicestershire Cares for the incredible support you've given our day care group with the delivery of bags through #BagsOfHope. Our participants were so appreciative of all the items they received, and were really touched that someone out there put in the effort to bring them a bit of joy in these difficult times. Thank you again for all the hard work you put in to make this happen!
Anita Rao, CEO of Wesley Hall Community Centre
#BagsOfHope puts into action Leicestershire Cares' "Power to Change" model, which lies at the heart of everything we do. We believe that by involving grassroots organisations and community members in projects aimed to support their needs we can learn from them about the complex and inter-locking challenges they face. When we then form creative and agile partnerships between the business and public sector, we can make a transformational, positive difference in our communities.
All of us at Leicestershire Cares are so proud of this year's #BagsOfHope Campaign! With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever that we build bridges not walls, that we collaborate and do our best to make a positive difference in our communities. A massive thank you to all our businesses who generously put in the time and effort to fill bags this year - your hard work is what enables us to make a positive difference. We look forward to collaborating again in the future to build a safer, more inclusive Leicestershire where no one is left behind. Thank you!
Neetu Squire, Head of Community Development
For more information about getting involved in our Community Development Work please contact:
Email: Neetu@Leicestershirecares.co.uk
Tel: 07834 181041
To learn more about our Community Development work, please click the links below:
For community groups | Leicestershire Cares
Fashioning a Beautiful Future | Leicestershire Cares