Generous Waterstones customers have helped ensure that more than 100 books will be unwrapped by Dundee Young Carers on Christmas Day.
‘Waterstones Wishing Tree’ is a collaboration between the retailer, Literary Dundee and Dundee City Council's Education Department. It provided a special way for shoppers to gift a book to a young person in Dundee who has a caring role and/or is affected emotionally by a family member’s long-term illness, disability, mental health or addiction problems.
The tree was in store at Waterstones Commercial Street branch from Thursday, 20th November until Monday, 15th December, during which time shoppers were encouraged to select a tag from the tree, buy a book and leave it with the staff at Waterstones to be wrapped and delivered for Christmas.
Such was the popularity of the Wishing Tree and the generosity of shoppers, the tags had to be replenished several times, ensuring more books for more young carers. Popular titles included Jacqueline Wilson and Roald Dahl and all books have been wrapped and delivered to the Dundee Carers Centre in time for Christmas.
Literary Dundee is a University of Dundee-led initiative to promote interest in literature and its team work closely with members of the local community to enhance rates of reading and encourage more people young and old to discover or rediscover the joy of books.
The organisation’s Peggy Hughes said, “We’re extremely grateful for such a heart-warming show of support for our inaugural Waterstones Wishing Tree and delighted that over 100 young carers will receive a book this Christmas. Huge, warm thanks to everyone who brought the festive spirit alive, and a Merry Christmas, one and all!”
Drew Porch, of Dundee Young Carers, said, “Providing young carers with some quality ‘me’ time is of huge value within the Young Carers Project. Those who have supported the Wishing Tree have given an opportunity for quality time for a number of young carers within Dundee.
“The generosity of customers and staff at Waterstones will help young carers cope with their caring situations during this festive season and into the New Year. The Young Carers Project hopes to build on this opportunity and encourage active readers amongst the children and young people it supports.”
The Young Carers Project supports those aged 8 – 15 years old who provide a caring role for a family member and currently support around 140 young carers. The Upbeet Project supports those aged 16+ who also provide care for a family member or friend and currently support around 50 young adult carers.
In addition many young adult carers are looking after their own children. The care role can be provided for a variety of reasons including ill health, disability, mental health or through drug and alcohol use. Support is offered through one to ones and group work and aims to enable young carers and young adult carers to be able to cope with their caring responsibilities by providing emotional support, access to other supports including signposting, welfare rights and importantly peer support.
Moira Foster, Education Support Officer at Dundee City Council, said, “The response to the Wishing Tree has been truly overwhelming. People have been so incredibly generous often buying more than one book, or buying additional items like pens to accompany drawing books. The thoughtfulness and kindness of Waterstones' customers has been incredible and quite moving. Thank You.”
More information about the Dundee Young Carers project is available at http://youngcarers.co.uk/.
For media enquiries contact: Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277
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