Pre-pandemic, Career Moves had a tradition of gifting their clients and candidates in time for the holiday season, as a way of saying thank you. Last year, considering all that had happened, we decided we wanted to give back to those that really need it, by making small donations to charities that are important to us.
It has once again been a very tumultuous year. One that has stretched our collective ability to adapt to this constant state of flux we are calling the “new normal”. As the UK health minister recently said, “There are no guarantees in this pandemic.”
So, in keeping with last year’s newly established tradition, we have chosen to donate a discreet sum to charity in lieu of sending physical cards and gifts. We gave our trusted partners and contacts a choice between three charities that hold a special place in our hearts at CMG.
We thought we’d share them with you in case you were still looking for ways to give back this Christmas.
Give gifts with heart to those who need it most with Choose Love
Christmas should be a time of festivity, catching up with loved ones and showing them how much you care. But for people seeking sanctuary in the UK, who were forced to leave their homes, it’s a time of loneliness and isolation.
Choose Love are a lean, passionate charity driving a fast-paced global movement doing whatever it takes to provide refugees and displaced people with everything from lifesaving search and rescue boats to food and legal advice. In just five years, they have reached one million refugees and raised tens of millions for nearly 150 organisations providing vital support at every stage along migration routes from Europe to the Middle East and along the US-Mexico border.
How to get involved:
> Choose an item or a bundle of items to send love, supplies and services to people in their hour of need: https://choose.love/
> Gift items to refugees on behalf of your loved ones: https://choose.love/pages/gift-bundle
Help to stop UK hunger with The Trussell Trust
Food banks across London are anticipating the ‘busiest Christmas yet’ and many expect to see a 41 per cent increase in demand over the next three months. The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks to help provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty in the UK.
They support more than 1,200 food bank centres up and down the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis, as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face.
They also recognise that ending hunger is about more than food. Through their network of food banks, they provide compassionate, practical support to people in crisis to tackle the root causes that lock people into poverty.
With match funding offer currently in place, all donations made until 31 January will be doubled, at no extra cost. So, your donations will go further in helping people facing impossible decisions this winter.
Ways to give:
> Donate money, food, supplies or gifts: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Do your bit for climate change with The Woodland Trust
In addition to the health challenges that are once again on the horizon, climate change is fundamentally altering what kind of weather is possible leading to a rise in the number of natural disasters around the world.We are a long way from achieving the 1.5 C degree target, which would still have very serious consequences for our societies.
Native woods and trees are one of the best ways to tackle the climate crisis. They lock up carbon, reduce pollution and flooding, and support people, wildlife and livestock in adapting to the climate crisis. But we need more of them. The UK’s woodland cover is just 13% (compared the EU average of 37%.).If the UK is to reach its carbon neutral target by 2050, the Committee on Climate Change has recommended an increase in woodland cover from 13% to 19%.
The Woodland Trust is expanding tree cover and protecting and restoring the UK’s existing woods. To increase tree cover, their mission is to get 50 million native trees in the ground over the next 5 years. It’s a huge task and you can help! Every purchase made on the Woodland Trust shop funds our vital work to plant and protect trees and woods across the UK.
How to get involved:
> Plant a tree in your garden: https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/garden-trees
> Stand up for trees while you shop: https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/gifts-books-and-toys
