Right There, a charity which helps prevent homelessness, is creating ‘Magical Moments’, in Edinburgh. The festive campaign aims to give people going through hard times special moments at Christmas and beyond.
Tapping into the real magic of Christmas, ‘Magical Moments’ hopes to spread the message of goodwill and community kindness through a series of festive fun experiences for the children and adults being supported across four locations – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Orkney.
Right There brought their festive campaign to Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal on Wednesday, with members of the Taiko Drumming Group performing a festive drumming extravaganza with live demonstrations for people supported by the charity, and other shoppers.
Taiko Drumming Group is run by Nemo Arts, a charity that supports people in recovery from poor mental health through creative arts.
Every year the charity supports around 4,000 children, adults and families who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. Providing one-to-one tailored support, Right There offers safe places to live, along with emotional and practical help – from mentoring to housing advice and support in the community.
Last year, the charity supported 1,461 people from Edinburgh in its ‘In the Community’ programme.
Gino has been supported by the Right There’s Pilton at Home Programme in Edinburgh for around five months.
He said: In my time here so far, the staff have been brilliant at supporting me with any goals I wanted to achieve. I always feel I can come to staff at any time, and they will do whatever they can to make my goals happen. I feel so much safer and more structured here.
“Overall, I just feel so much more positive than I did before and I am looking forward to a future with my own tenancy, getting pets and spending more time with my family which I didn’t feel would be possible before. I would like to thank the staff for going above and beyond, being here has really saved my life.”
Right There Chief Executive, Janet Haugh said: “Christmas is a time for family, friends and exchanging gifts, but sadly this is far from the reality for some of the people we support who are living with the effects of homelessness, poverty, or have been separated from their families.
“Every day our dedicated teams help people create life-changing moments in their lives. Be that a young person from care having a mentor to help achieve their goals or supporting an adult with a safe place to live so they can move on from the trauma of homelessness.
“The festive period can be an extremely challenging time for those without a safe place to call home, but we hope ‘Magical Moments’ will spread the magic of Christmas and enable people to create a lasting legacy that will help those who need it the most all year round.”
Hugh McCue, Chief Executive, Nemo Arts, added: “Nemo Arts is excited to be part of Magical Moments. Our Taiko drumming group is looking forward to sharing the skills they have learned through a short performance and passing on the joy through a few open workshops.
“Taiko Drumming, and arts in general, is a great way to make memories, learn skills and come together as a community.”
The ‘Magical Moments’ campaign launched last month in Glasgow at the charity’s Govan headquarters, where Children and young people supported by the charity enjoyed a Magical Moment Christmas Grotto of festive fun.
By creating ‘Magical Moments’, the charity is asking members of the public to give a gift that will last far beyond Christmas.
By donating to Right There via its online campaign at rightthere.org, everyone has the opportunity to change someone’s life for the better.
To find out more about the Magical Moments campaign visit righthere.org or follow ‘Right There Org’ on social media.
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