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
Lifelink have been supporting adults and young people to make positive
changes in their lives for over 27 years. They offer free one-to-one
counselling for all ages and provide emotional literacy programmes for
young people to help them better manage their feelings and deal with challenges.
They also work with businesses to provide wellbeing workshops and support.
Finding Your Feet support families affected by amputation or limb absence.
Through a range of sporting initiatives and social inclusion projects,
they aim to tackle the problem of isolation amongst amputees.
The charity also campaigns for better accessibility, organ donation and
sepsis awareness.
Since 1824, Ypeople have been providing diverse support across Scotland.
The offer the likes of mentoring, housing advice, supported accommodation,
counselling and after school care.
They also tackle youth homelessness and promote wellbeing, as well as
assistance with benefits, renting, utility provision and more.
A team of over 40 people work at SeAscape to tackle homelessness,
poverty and isolation. They provide practical and ongoing help and
advice for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, as
well as helping with benefits and fuel debts.
Befriending services help those who are isolated or vulnerable in the
community to ensure they don’t go through life alone.
Standing for Possibilities for Each and Every Kid, PEEK work to enhance
opportunities for children and young people across Scotland.
They provide free play, creative learning, safe environments to explore,
and training and support in order to boost confidence, break down barriers
and improve health, well-being and physical literacies.
St Andrew's Hospice provides free specialist palliative care to people
living with life-limiting illnesses. They offer inpatient services,
at-home care, outpatient wellbeing and grief & bereavement support services.
It’s not only the patients themselves that are looked after – their
family, too, are supported by the hospice.
Abused Men in Scotland helps male victims of domestic abuse, whether it
be physical, emotional, financial and sexual. They operate a free helpline
to provide advice and support, as well as a one-to-one service in Edinburgh.
The charity also aims to address the gap in service provision for men
experiencing domestic abuse and campaign for further inclusion of male
victims in the wider conversation.
Launched by 15-year-old Jak Trueman just six days before he tragically
passed away from cancer in 2015, the charity provides practical, social
and emotional support to children and young people with cancer.
Their Jak’s Den locations offer fun activities, counselling and more,
while outreach groups work with hospitals and patients at home to provide
respite.
Focusing on physical, social and emotional wellbeing, Health All Round
aim to reduce inequalities within the city and support people to live
longer, healthier lives.
They offer a wide variety of help, such as counselling, life coaching,
activity sessions, elderly befriending, creative projects and loads more
to support all over healthier living.
Since 1977, Cannongate Youth have been providing a safe, welcoming and
fun space for young people aged 5-25. They run youth clubs, holiday
activities, employability support, a social enterprise café,
1-1 support and outdoor play.
Their aim is to help children to become healthy, happy and secure adults,
who feel at home in their communities, confident and fulfilled.
Queensferry Care provides support for elderly people in areas surrounding
the Lothians, primarily those suffering with dementia. There’s day care
for those with additional support needs, a supper club for dementia
patients and their unpaid carers and a memory cafe for drop-in advice.
They also run a volunteer hub, supporting local groups with advertising,
training, recruitment, donations and more.
By offering young people opportunities for new experiences and support
with any difficulties, Pilton Youth aims to give them the best chance of
a successful future.
In an area of multiple deprivation where many children, young people and
their families face inequalities in the likes of income, health and
education, this kind of support is crucial. They offer play sessions,
employability training, alternatives to crime programmes and more.
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!
