Welcome to our first ‘monthly message’! We hope to send a short update to you each month to share a little news! Interspersed through the email are short feedback quotes we have received over the last couple of weeks from parents.
Since An Open Hand started, we have received applications for around 440 children in Edinburgh. It is always our aim to take particular care over ensuring each child’s birthday gift is chosen by their parent or guardian and the overall package is individually packed to suit the interests of each child and sibling we deliver to.
If you are working with a family in financial hardship who may require support with buying birthday presents head to our applications page to find out more about applying.
“Really helped as I was struggling and I managed to get dolls she wanted that I wouldn’t have managed to get myself.”
Toy donations!
We were so thankful (and slightly overwhelmed!!) this week to be gifted an extraordinary donation of games, craft kits, puzzles, science kits, magic sets and even skateboards! This was generously given to us by Martin Rogerson who used to own the toy shop Voga, near Tollcross. Below is a photo of the toy shop for those who remember it, a couple of pictures of some of the games, and finally one of all the boxes making up this huge donation! All these items will be absolutely perfect for including in our family bag for the whole family to share together. Thank you so much for this immense kindness. It will make such a difference!!
“As a single mum you sometimes feel too proud to ask for help. But right now I do need the help so thank you from us both 😁 Your charity do a great job 👍🎉😀”
Family bags for teenagers
Recently we have been reviewing the family bag contents for teenagers specifically. We were very keen to ask a big group of teenagers what they think would be fun to include. Many thanks to the Greenbank Church Scouts and Explorers for welcoming us to one of their busy meetings! Over 80 teenagers completed our questionnaire and we now have fantastic suggestions including cosy socks, sports socks, fidget toys, hydroflasks, sports water bottles, family games, and the list goes on….! Thank you to all the leaders, Scouts and Explorers at Greenbank Church!
“I thought everything was so thoughtful and personal. The service was absolutely amazing lovely way to help people. Nothing I would change. Thank you so much.”
Our website donation page is ready!
Our JustGiving links are now functional and the donation page is up and running. If you would like to support our work financially please head to Donate
“They provided things in which I may not have been able to give my son, it was an incredibly kind gift and I am forever grateful. A massive thank you once again, it’s so very kind!! ”
An Open Hand is run entirely by volunteers
Our charity is run solely by volunteers so we do ask for at least two weeks notice of any birthdays. This allows enough time to call the parent to find out what they would like to give their child, let them have time to think and decide, buy the gift, pack up the individual family bags and deliver everything before the child’s birthday.
Because our charity is run in our free time we might also run at a slightly lower capacity over school holiday time or deliver gifts earlier than the week before the birthday if the birthday falls in the holidays.
Many thanks for your assistance and understanding!!
“Open Hand made the celebration possible. Without Open Hand, the boys wouldn’t have had a birthday celebration and thankfully we would have been able to get away with it as they aren’t old enough to know their birth days. We would just not have told them it’s their birthday.”
Thank you for reading this!
If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch at: enquiries@anopenhand.org.uk
“With the cost of living increasing with everything it was a massive help”
