Wrapping up the year with Children Heard and Seen

Many workplaces do Secret Santa this time of year, but at Booost Education, we do it differently.

Instead of exchanging gifts with one another, we work with law firm Blake Morgan to select, buy and deliver gifts to the children supported by Children Heard and Seen (CHAS), a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and families affected by parental imprisonment.

Five years ago, our Head of Operations, Laura, was talking to a friend about giving back to the community. It was then that she heard about the initiative their local law firm runs every year to ensure each child supported by CHAS receives a Christmas present, which they may not have otherwise.

“I hadn't realised that children wouldn't automatically be supported when their parents went to prison. Helping young people feel represented is so important to Tim and I, and we immediately knew we wanted to help in any way we could. From that year on, Ultima Education took part in their festive fundraising campaign, and now Booost Education is taking over the baton.’’

Surprisingly, there is no formal process in place to identify these children and provide support, which is why CHAS is advocating for a change in government policy to ensure no child goes unsupported during these times. The children impacted often face complex emotional, psychological, and social challenges as a result of having a parent in prison. Many are at risk of isolation, stigma, and neglect, and the charity works tirelessly to provide them with much-needed support. This includes offering mentorship, counselling, social activities, and practical assistance to help them cope and thrive.

Every December, a wish list from local children flutters through the snowy skies down the chimney to land in Booost HQ’s inbox hearth. Our elves then get straight to work to ensure that each child receives a thoughtful, personalised gift to create magical moments for those who may feel overlooked or forgotten during the holiday season.

It's become something of a tradition here, with our families and friends also getting involved, helping to lend a hand to carefully wrap and label each present so they are ready for Santa to deliver on Christmas Eve.

CHAS is sharing stories from the hidden voices of adults with lived experiences of parental imprisonment to raise awareness of the impacts and inspire change for the children of today. Head over to their website to have a read and find out how you can get involved to help provide crucial resources and a sense of hope for children who are facing challenging circumstances.

We're excited to continue our support for Children Heard and Seen this year and are currently busy putting the final touches to another sleigh full of gifts, ready to deliver a little bit of hope and joy.

This initiative, and the incredible work CHAS does every day is a reminder of the importance of amplifying young voices and making a difference in the lives of young people, something Booost is passionate about being part of.