Every year, Better Pathways puts together care packages for the people we support - individuals in Birmingham living with mental health challenges, learning difficulties, learning disabilities, and other neurodiverse conditions.

Better Pathways helps people overcome complex barriers to employment, helping them to gain the confidence, skills, and experience to follow their aspirations and find employment opportunities that suit their needs.

Christmas is a chance to bring our participants together. We host a Christmas party where participants can catch up with participants who have become friends, share a lovely meal, dance to a few festive tunes, and leave with a care package chosen with them in mind. Many of the people we support have known us for years; we know what helps. We know that taking home a care package filled with essentials adds to their Christmas cheer.

These care packages are practical and joyful. Each includes winter essentials like gloves, socks, body wash, toothpaste, mental health resources, and small treats.

This year’s goal:
We’re aiming to raise £700 in November to fund these care packages. Every donation, no matter the amount, contributes to items in each package.

Why it matters:

• Reducing isolation this Christmas – a friendly Christmas gathering with friends and familiar faces
• Practical essentials, chosen with each person in mind
• Supporting wellbeing over the winter period
• Helping those in Birmingham to have a warm Christmas celebration
• Easing cost-of-living pressures with a full Christmas meal and a special Christmas gift

Suggested gifts, but any amount helps:

• £7 – warm gloves and socks
• £12 – non-perishable food items and basic toiletries
• £20 – complete care package for one person
• £40 – helps cover multiple care packages

If you’re a UK taxpayer, please opt in to Gift Aid; it adds 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you.