We’re lucky at itison - we get to put smiles on people’s faces every day by giving them incredible experiences. itison us goes one further, and makes sure those same amazing experiences can be enjoyed by those who need it most: brilliant local charities.
Each month, we support incredible charities in each of the regions we work in. We choose charities that are doing great work, and who will get the most impact from our donation.
We speak to the community of amazing businesses we work with and encourage them to support itison us, by donating vouchers for the same great experiences you see on itison.
We give vouchers to charities to help with fundraising or to provide respite to volunteers and the people they support; giving them the chance to get away for the night, enjoy a nice meal or take the kids out for the day.
At itison, our mission has always been about bringing loved ones together to enjoy incredible experiences, and now we want to make sure that the people who need it most get to have that too.
Every month, we matchmake our amazing deals to charities who would love to experience them. They can use them to give much needed respite, reward incredible volunteers or to fundraise.
Volunteers are the lifeblood that keep many charities going. It can be hard work emotionally and physically, and vouchers are a great way to help volunteers recharge their batteries and, most importantly, smile!
Many of our charities work with people who are going through a tough time in one way or another, and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to forget their troubles, have fun and enjoy a great experience.
Charities can use the vouchers we give them for raffles, auctions and more, ensuring they raise vital funds to continue the incredible work they do.
Big, multi-national charities are important, but we want to help the little guy, and make sure that smaller, local charities get the support and publicity they need. Together, we can make a huge difference to the communities we live and work in.
This month we're helping these amazing charities in , and
The hospice helps people to live the rest of their lives as actively as
they can - however long that may be, wherever that may be.
Care is provided by hospice staff in a number of places
including people’s own homes, hospitals and care homes as well as in the
hospice’s purpose-built day care centre and in-patient unit. The hospice
not only takes care of people’s physical needs but look after their
emotional, spiritual and social needs too.
Cancer Support Scotland provides emotional and practical support through
a series of complementary therapies on a one-to-one basis, and through
community-based groups to anyone affected by cancer, including family
and carers.
The charity aims to give people the support they need to
navigate an incredibly challenging period of their lives, as well as
helping their family with practical and emotional support.
Established over 30 years ago, the charity assists people in their
recovery from poor mental health and to promote mental wellbeing.
They aim to empower, educate, and enable individuals to lead
fulfilling lives by providing a range of services including access to a
crisis centre and phoneline, family support, social groups and one-to-one
access to a trained counsellor.
Neighbourhood Networks supports adults with learning disabilities,
physical disabilities and mental health issues to live an independent
life, safely within their own home and be fully involved within their
local communities.
The charity employs community workers living in the same area
as those they support to allow greater interaction, close support and
knowledge of local services.
Free Wheel North is a disability cycling centre with a huge range of
bikes (including adapted disability bikes) to allow people of all ages
and abilities to enjoy cycling.
The charity helps those who want to try cycling but don’t have
a bike, confidence or knowledge of appropriate cycle paths, and every
year they help thousands of people get into cycling.
The charity helps families with children going through gruelling
treatments for cancer, leukaemia and other life threatening illnesses to
meet their celebrity idols, and go to events and attractions like
concerts, theatres, football games, theme parks and safari parks.
This respite is invaluable to parents and kids alike, and
allows them to enjoy a treat with their siblings, and a bit of normalcy
during an extremely hard time.
For over 50 years, Marie Curie’s Edinburgh hospice has been supporting
people living with or affected by terminal illness.
They deliver expert care, emotional support, research and
guidance from the time patients are diagnosed. The hospice’s inpatient
unit is staffed 24 hours a day and they also help outpatients in their
own homes, plus they provide one-to-one support to their families and
carers at a difficult time.
Health in Mind have been providing varied, inclusive mental health
support for over 35 years.
They offer a wide range of services including information,
counselling, befriending, peer support groups and specialist trauma
support. They focus on some of the most excluded and vulnerable people in
society, such as those from ethnic minority communities, survivors of
abuse, and older people, providing them with compassionate support.
Through weekly activity groups, events and trips, the Craigshill Good
Neighbour Network aims to reduce loneliness in the community.
With the likes of sewing, singing, carpet bowls, jewellery
making and a book club, socially isolated people can make new friends,
whether they’re elderly, veterans, carers or long-term unemployed.
Combatting loneliness improves mental health and strengthens the entire
community, with a knock-on positive impact.
For almost 20 years, Home Start West Lothian have been providing support
to some of the area’s most vulnerable families.
They offer hope, guidance and practical solutions to those in
need and aim to help families work through their unique issues. The
charity offers home visits, one-to-one support and parenting groups in
various locations throughout the area.
Stirling Carers Centre support over 1200 adult carers, and 200 young
carers from aged 7 upwards every year.
They offer financial, emotional and social support to unpaid
carers, including advice and advocacy, practical support, training,
education, awareness and more. They even provide short-term breaks,
whether that’s a day out or a fun activity to act as respite from their
stressful unpaid jobs.
The Yard offer creative, adventurous indoor and outdoor play for
disabled children and their families.
They provide safe, supported environments for children to let
loose and enjoy themselves without worry, plus it’s a great place to
make new friends! Parents can also receive care and support from the
charity, as well as informal respite while their kids get to safely
explore and learn new skills.
After hearing about Cyril Flint, a Trafford pensioner who had spent 20
lonely Christmases on his own since the death of his wife, there was a
wave of compassion in the community and the Cyril Flint charity was
established.
The charity matches those in need with volunteer befrienders
who visit them, enjoying a cup of tea and a chat and limiting the
effects of social isolation.
Helping families who have lost a loved one, One Upon a Smile was born
after its founders noticed how little practical and emotional support
was available at the time.
The charity offers a wide range of support including respite
breaks, one-to-one support, play therapy, befriending, art therapy and
family mediation to help families heal and support each other.
Lifeshare is a voluntary organisation established to help meet the
needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford.
The first point of contact is with people on the streets,
offering practical assistance, support and information. They then offer
continued assistance that enables people to secure suitable
accommodation; supports them in maintaining their tenancies; and helps
them to access initiatives that carry their lives forward.
Choose from the options below to get involved with itison us. To find out more about how itison us works read our Q&A here or if you have any questions please get in touch.
If you’re a great local charity who would benefit from itison experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
We wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without the support of incredible businesses. Let us know if you can help.
Check out the lovely people who are donating amazing experiences to itison us!
