Christmas will look a little different this year, but will also be a lot tougher for many people due to this year’s pandemic. JesmondLocal spoke to local charities to find out how we can help others during this Yuletime season.

“Child poverty rates in our region are among the highest in the country,” said Pauline Holt, communications coordinator for Children North East (CNE). The number of people claiming Universal Credit has almost doubled in the last six months and as those numbers rise, so does the incidence of child poverty, with many families struggling to cope with job and income loss caused by Covid-19.

In response, CNE has launched a Hope For Christmas appeal and is running several fundraising campaigns, beginning with Festive Feet on Monday 7th December. Holt says that aside from donating money, “raising awareness through social media and using our hashtags can also make a big difference” and that sharing and showing support online can “help massively.”

Hazel Jones-Lee, a Jesmond resident who has worked closely with both CNE and Newcastle East Food Bank, said: “There are a lot of financial demands on people at the moment, but there’s still a lot of options to help, with charities offering the potential and directive for those looking for ways to help.”

Jesmond church St George’s has been working with CNE, donating a batch of knitted “DARE Bears” for child victims of domestic violence. “The St George’s congregation have also knitted Christmas stockings that will be filled with sweets for children,” explained Holt.

Like many “non essential” retail businesses under the latest lockdown restrictions, Oxfam Books & Music on St George’s Terrace has had to close shop for the moment, but all profits from products bought on the Oxfam website go to fighting poverty.

The St Oswald’s Hospice shop on Hazlewood Avenue has also had to close temporarity, but you can still support the charity by buying its products on eBay and Depop.

Anita Ball, a director for St Oswald’s says that closing for large parts of the year has been “extremely tough for us as we hugely miss not being in our communities and seeing our customers and supporters. The knock-on effect of not being able to raise money to pay for all the critical services we provide at St Oswald’s has hit us hard too.

“However it’s never been easier for people to support us from the comfort of their own homes.”

You can also donate to Newcastle East Food Bank, by visiting its donation page or by donating food directly at the Waitrose store on Osborne Road.