Many children and young people arrive to our teams with very little. Donating to our Give a Gift to Children in Care appeal will allow our Children in Care teams accross Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley to be able to support looked after children through this difficult time with a variety of essentials such as toothbrushes, sanitary towels, educational resources or even essential household items as they transition out of the service.

The Looked after Children team provide health and wellbeing support to children who have been in the care of their local authority, up until the age of 19. Our specialist nurses carry out assessments for children who attend local independent schools, children who range from 16-18 who are not in education or training and children in their transition from childhood to adulthood.  

1. Your support can help us provide essential care packages for children entering services and resources to those struggling

Approximetly 1,000 Children enter our services each year; some of these children carry nothing but a black bin bag with very little in it to carry due to their circumstances, which may be a scary time for children. With your help we can support children first entering our services by providing a welcome package containing wellbeing essentials. Welcome packages can be tailored for individuals but can include essentials such as toiletries, pyjamas, a night bag and a dressing gown. 

You can also help us to obtain educational books such as those around puberty, wellbeing tools & emotional support resources such as worry bears, and social experiences such as vouchers for the cinema, for children that are struggling. 

2. Your support can help us gift a milestone to those transitioning 

For many of us, birthdays are a day of celebration, especially turning 18 which is a significant milestone in a young person's life. You can support us to provide essential starter-pack household items and other gifts to those transitioning to adulthood and independent living and out of services'  - particulalry those with limited support around them once they leave our services. 

4. Your support can help us put a smile on a child's face at significant times of the year such as Christmas and Easter and can make a significant difference to their confidence and wellbeing.

Mersey Cares, The Mersey Care NHS Charity, is the dedicated charity for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust (Registration number 1191576)