A Christmas Gift That Lasts Well Beyond December

Christmas has a way of amplifying what we’re already feeling.

The joy feels bigger.

The loneliness feels louder.

And for some, the hunger doesn’t pause for twinkling lights or festive carols.

For many young people leaving care, or simply navigating tough circumstances, Christmas isn’t cosy. It’s not sparkling or glittery. Empty cupboards feel emptier, and the pressure to “manage on your own” weighs heavier than ever.

At Auntie’s Cookery Academy, we see this all the time. Some of our learners arrive with no cooking experience at all. Some don’t even have a working oven at home. Others can’t rely on the internet because they don’t have enough data to “just Google it.” While many of us are planning Christmas dinners, others are quietly figuring out how to get through December.

And this is where your support makes a real, lasting difference.

A Seat at the Table

When a young person learns to cook with us, it’s about so much more than recipes. They’re learning:

• How to budget without panic

• How to feed themselves on a tight income

• How to look after their health

• How to trust themselves

• How to step into adulthood with a little more certainty

That kind of confidence doesn’t vanish when the Christmas lights come down. It stays with them, quietly shaping the way they navigate life.

This Christmas, if you can, help us keep the kitchen warm, the ingredients stocked, and the doors open for the young people who need it most. Because no one should face adulthood hungry, scared, or alone — not at Christmas, not ever.

What Your Gift Can Do

Every donation transforms real moments: a warm kitchen, a safe space, a young person cooking their first proper meal, a first taste of pride. Here’s a snapshot of the impact your support can make:

• £9 — Ingredients for one class: everything needed for one young person to cook a wholesome meal from scratch

• £118 — Fund a full 12-week course for one learner: all the ingredients they need to complete the journey

• £296 — Keep the kitchen warm for a week: utilities, upkeep, and materials for hands-on learning

• £592 — Keep the cooker on for two weeks: ensures our teaching space stays open, safe, and welcoming

• £847 — Change one life: fund a full 12-week course for one young person, apron to certificate

• £1,437 — Ingredients for a 12-week course for all learners: keeps every pot bubbling and every plate full

• £10,976 — Transform 12 lives in 12 weeks: fund a full cohort, covering space, equipment, tutors, and all ingredients

Or, simply give what you can — every donation helps. Every small act counts.

This Christmas, your support isn’t just a gift. It’s a seat at the table, a warm kitchen, and the confidence to face the year ahead.

Here's the link to donate directly: Support us