Staff at our wrapping event - thanks so much to all!

Thank you so much for donating to, and sharing our Christmas stocking appeal this year. We were successful in raising even more than the original target, which is absolutely incredible! Here are a few more comments about what this means to our students. 

• It gave me something to look forward to on Christmas day as there were gifts to open!
• Honestly really makes my Christmas every year, always thoughtfully picked out gifts.
• I was completely alone last Christmas and this really helped with getting me into the Christmas spirit. I appreciated all the little pamper gifts and Christmas food/drinks that I otherwise wouldn't have bought myself...Being an independent student at Christmas is probably the hardest time of year for most of us.... this really helped with feeling less alone in such an isolating time. 

Our students will know that they are remembered, thought about and cared for - this wouldn't have been possible without your support. Thank you so much. 

A massive thank you to everyone who has already donated and shared - this is such an incredible sum! Every penny will be spent on giving our students lovely Christmas gifts and showing them that we care. There's just 3 days left for anyone who would like to donate. 

This is what your donations mean to our students: 

• I felt cared about, I felt like I mattered in a way. 
• It made me feel less alone when Christmas can be such a lonely time of year as an estranged student.
• For me, it's shown how University has gone above and beyond to make me feel thought of and supported...during what can be a difficult time of year.
• When Christmas is a time for family, it can be really hard for students like us...makes you feel cared for and makes a lonely time a lot easier. 
• I felt included and recognised which was heartwarming. 

A massive thank you to everyone who has donated and shared so far - we've already raised over half our target which is just incredible! Please continue to share as far as wide as possible; your help makes such a difference.

Here's some feedback from students this year about what this means to them: 

• I haven’t had one of these before as I’m a fresher but this is probably one of the nicest and sweetest things I’ve ever seen, seriously put a smile on my face. ☺️
• I have never received one but I am so thankful to the independent student support system. In such little time, I already feel valued and I know I am not alone. 
• It gave me something to look forward to on Christmas day as there were gifts to open!

My Story

My name is Fran Hornsby. I’m the dedicated contact for our Care Experienced and Estranged Students at the University of York. Prior to this, for over a decade, I supported children and young people who were either using drugs themselves, or affected by someone else’s use. In both of these roles, I have met people who have been abused, neglected and overcome the most challenging circumstances. I’ve been incredibly privileged to meet these people; they inspire me every day with their resilience, motivation and strength of character. Suffice to say, it is not easy being a student at University without parents to support you and yet that is what our students are doing - aspiring and achieving.

Giving our students gifts at Christmas is so important; it lets them know that we value them, that they matter and that we care.

Here are some of the quotes from our students who've previously received a Christmas Stocking:

• They put me in the Christmas spirit, which I was struggling to feel last year
• I received the gifts last year for the first time, I didn't know it existed the year before, and the sack was so good and it really made my Christmas
• It was nice to look forward to something on Christmas day.
• I couldn’t see a single member of my family last Christmas and all my university housemates had gone home for the winter break. My student house is my only home, I don’t have family to go home to or even escape the bustle of uni life for a weekend during term-time. I fear this year will be even worse, due to the current pandemic, as seeing a few friends may be out of the picture too. I spent last Christmas alone in my student house, going through a difficult period with my mental health condition. I cannot put into words how much being able to open something on Christmas Day made my day and brought some joy into a very difficult time of year. It was incredibly appreciated and I couldn’t thank all of those involved in the project enough for their
• The Christmas hamper each year has made me understand the warmth of the team who make them and highlights the wonderful support that is provided here at York 😊
• It really made me feel cared about & put a big smile on my face. thank you!
• It made me feel special. I don't really get many gifts so it was lovely to have so many! Thank you for making me feel special
• It made Christmas that little more special when it is already a slightly difficult time if year for me. It was just nice to feel like there was people out there who cared and was looking out for people in similar situations to myself.
• The first time I received a Christmas stocking was last year. If I’m honest I wasn’t even expecting anything from anyone so it was just a welcomed surprise. It was really nice to know that the University cared about us students who wouldn’t really be celebrating Christmas. I felt like I wasn’t truly alone and everything was just so thoughtful.
• I haven’t received one before but just wanted to say that this idea is so amazing thank you so much
• Thought after!
• The hamper last year was some of my favourite presents and only one of a few I received. I really appreciated it and it did genuinely brighten up my Christmas. All my housemates were very impressed by the university's efforts
• This is my first year properly estranged from my family but I have always been neglected by my family so I don’t know much about receiving gifts. I love Disney And my Friend surprised me with a Disney doll and that made me really happy so I assume that gifts make people happy
• Receiving gifts make me happy, no matter how big or small they are, it is the thought that counts. It is nice to know that people think of you and want to bring some joy in your life.
• I really enjoy receiving these gifts as it gives me something to look forward too and it’s makes me feel so grateful to have people who support me around at such difficult times
• My stocking last year really made my Christmas. I haven't had a Christmas stocking since I was very little and the things inside were really thoughtful. I appreciated it a lot and I was very grateful. I felt like I wasn't forgotten about!
• It gives me a big grin, makes me feel more at home at uni
• It was a very happy experience to be able to receive gifts, and a great experience to not only receive some very useful presents, but also to be able to meet with others
• Such a lovely thought. I know many people from a similar background don’t get the privilege to have built as strong a relationship as I have with my foster family. I’m glad there are people like yourselves trying to change that by bringing a small joy into our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed receiving one last year, so unexpected especially as a new arrival in York. Thanks so much.
• I’ve never had one of these gifts before, as this is my first year I have been aware of the estranged student team. I usually spend my christmas in my flat here in York, so it will be really nice to have this little bit of festivity. Im taken aback by the kindness and generosity of the University and Independent student support team.
• Receiving a gift last year really made my Christmas. It made me feel special. It made me have something to open alongside other people in my home as this isn’t something i get a lot off. It made me grateful to those who donate so I would like to say thank you.
• This makes me feel so happy. I don't have a family and sometimes Christmas can feel a bit isolating. It's nice to feel special. I also got flowers on valentine's day and it made my day.
• Receiving the gifts last year made me feel like the University valued me and genuinely cared about my well-being outside of just the university environment