Welsh homelessness charity Llamau is ensuring that the young people, women and children it supports will all receive gifts this holiday season. In some cases, this may be the only Christmas gift they receive.

Over 10,000 young people, women and children were supported by Llamau in 2021-22, and the festive season can be a reminder of everything they have lost or are missing out on. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Llamau ensures that the people it supports enjoy a holiday season including Christmas gifts.

Llamau’s vital support to young people and women who are facing homelessness helps them gain the necessary skills and resilience to live independent, purposeful lives in their communities. This support includes safe accommodation, providing access to education and employment opportunities, and one-to-one counselling.

Llamau ensures that young people and women at risk of homelessness build a respectful and trusting relationship with staff members to help identify the underlying reasons for any barriers faced and provide a platform to overcome challenges together. Over 90% of young people supported by Llamau’s Step into Education & Wellbeing programme consistently report improvement in their confidence and wellbeing.

Frances Beecher, Llamau CEO, said: ‘’For those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, the holiday season can be extremely difficult. At Llamau we are privileged to support young people and women experiencing or at risk of homelessness and we believe that no-one, least of all those facing difficult times, should face a Christmas without gifts.”

Sabrina Sallis, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Llamau – “Christmas can be a very difficult time for the young people and women supported by Llamau. They face a holiday filled with uncertainty, without the special things many of us take for granted, such as a Christmas dinner, quality time with loved ones or presents under the Christmas tree.

‘Our aim at Llamau is to ensure that everyone receives at least one gift this Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we can buy each person we support a personal gift, something they’ve asked for, helping to make their Christmas a little bit better this year and giving them hope for the future.”