xmas, homelessness or helping out somewhere

[Tortington]

i would like for me and my elsest son 13 to go helping out somewhere for a couple of hours on xmas day - have a particular like of homelessness issues but as i live in worthing which is a completely new area to me, am not to sure where to start - i could travel into brighton - they have a great homeless population. was also wondering about the safety aspect for my son as there can be some vulnerable people out there with great social and pschycological needs so this worried me a little.

i know there must be other places too, and i know it sound hypocritical but am not into old people much and childrens hospital stuff although it may have its upsand i can imagine my son enjoying playing with other kids. the thing is i dont have much money to give but time i do have also want to show son how the other half live so theres a bit of a social message thing going on with this decision

i guess what i am asking for is - does anyone know of organisations in or around the brighton area that i could contact.
if anyone has done the childrens ward thing xmas day what do you do and how should i offer my time?

thanks

that message not withstanding - still want to emphasise would prefer to help the homeless in some way

A friend of mine persuaded a whole lot of us to donate a small toy which her and her DH took to the hospital where her DD had been treated. This is quite nice as it emphasises the giving aspect ot christmas as well as making it happier for children in hospital over Christmas.

Homelessness, you could ask Shelter if they have anything running in Brighton, I thought some homeless charities have a christmas dinner type thing in operation. Maybe a local church might have something running?

If you scroll through this .pdf file , there's a list of organisations at the end. You could contact them and see if they're doing something on Christmas day. There were a few listed for South Coas locations but none for Worthing

Froma safety point of view, I would imagine your son would be fine helpng at something like a Christmas meal or the "mobile soup kitchen" type things as there would be plenty of other adults around, as well as you.

message withdrawn

custardo, details of charities in Worthing including a charity for the homeless here

wow, your all just too damned good!

thank you

Lots of the homeless refuges would love some help at Christmas, all local refuges should be listed in the phone book. Also, if you can't get there or they have enough staff, you could make a hamper for them, full of mince pies, chocolates, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, cake, etc.

do any of you have any suggestions for places to give soft toys too. Dd has so many and I wanted to give some to chilren in need and wondered if you have any ideas of who / how I can give them. I thought about children's homes ?

Our Church organises toys to go to the local Women's refuge - often women & children end up in a refuge with absolutely no spare clothes/toys etc so the children really welcome having something to play with. Haven't got any contact details but should be a number in yellow pages (they don't put the address in for obvious reasons so phone to discuss first).

The Salcation Army will also have contact ideas.