Help End Social Isolation This Christmas: SIG Penrose Roots Winter Appeal 2024

With an estimated 41,000 people in Luton facing social isolation this winter, the need for community-based support to tackle loneliness has never been greater.

SIG Penrose Roots provides a vital lifeline for people experiencing social isolation in Luton. Roots community spaces, including a church hall, heated greenhouse, and indoor workshops, are havens during the coldest, darkest months when loneliness often feels overwhelming.

For many, Roots is the only place they feel safe to socialise outside their home.

Last Christmas, Roots helped combat isolation and loneliness by:

• Hosting Christmas dinner at a local church hall for 60+ people who would have spent the day alone
• Donating food parcels to local food banks and community kitchens
• Running festive arts and crafts workshops
• Organising winter walks and nature activities
• Supporting people in attending community celebrations together
• Providing hot meals and warm spaces throughout winter

Your Donation helps build a Community

However, Roots urgently needs your support to keep our doors open and services running this winter so vulnerable people don’t spend the festive season alone.

How your donation could help:

Donating £5 could:

• Provide seeds and garden supplies for winter growing activities
• Supply fresh food parcels for people accessing community food hubs

Donating £10 could:

• Provide free Christmas meals and drinks for people accessing Roots services
• Support travel costs for those socially isolated with limited mobility
• Fund essentials, gifts, or craft packs to someone living alone to lift their spirits

Donating £25 could:

• Cover weekly indoor activities, including art therapy, woodwork, and winter planting sessions, so that people can stay socially connected and warm
• Pay for rent and heating for Roots’ warm spaces throughout the cold months

Every share and donation helps us continue supporting our members during what can be an especially isolating time of year.

Donate to this service here: https://socialinterestgroup.enthuse.com/roots

Read some of Roots’ members’ stories, initiatives, spotlights, and celebrations to learn more about its transformative work.

For more information about SIG Penrose Roots, visit our service’s page.