Tusko is working with The Marmalade Trust to end loneliness
This winter, Tusko have joined up with Marmalade Trust to tackle loneliness across the city of Bristol and the wider north Somerset area.
Loneliness can affect us all, at any time in our lives. We may start university in a new town or city, work anti-social hours, end a significant relationship or fall out with family members. For some, their responsibilities as a parent or carer can leave little free time for socialising, while older people may find themselves without a support network to rely on.
While we can all feel lonely from time to time, Christmas is an especially challenging time of year to feel that way. So when Tusko heard about Marmalade's challenge we jumped at the chance to be involved.
The Bristol-based charity has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2013. Named after the favourite snack of Paddington Bear, who founder Amy Perrin loved as a lonely child, The Marmalade Trust raises awareness of issues around social isolation, along with actively supporting people experiencing loneliness via projects and events.
Although they support members throughout the year, one of the biggest events on the Marmalade Trust calendar is Christmas Dinner.
Amy set about establishing fun, community-based Christmas dinner events that anyone who felt lonely could attend for free.
On Christmas Day, the Trust’s guests are picked up from their homes by a volunteer, and taken to their nearest event, where they can enjoy a dinner of turkey and all the trimmings, put on a paper hat and have a good chat with the person sat next to them. All things that most of us take for granted every December 25th.
Loneliness can have a serious impact on our health. Studies have found it can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The Marmalade Trust are having an enormously positive impact on hundreds of lives across Bristol. One thankyou card the team received read, “this was the first time in 16 years I was not alone on Christmas Day.”
But as the Trust grows, so too does the need to raise enough money to cover all the Christmas events, and find enough volunteers. Amy told us, “The #NotAlone campaign has been instrumental in concentrating our fundraising efforts in the run up to Christmas. One of our biggest challenges is telling Marmalade's story and what we do. Tusko have created video, photography and a marketing campaign that helps to get the message about loneliness out there.”
We’re really excited to be assisting the Marmalade Trust with their 2018 #NotAlone campaign, and will be helping them by raising awareness of their great work.
Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks as we reveal what we’re working on.
We’re proud to join the Marmalade Family and be part of something this Christmas.
If you’d like to find out more, help raise funds or volunteer for the Marmalade Trust this Christmas, click here.
HOW TUSKO FEELS THIS WEEK…
