you can change the story - samaritans...you could even bake or cook together during your video call....

Let’s get this party started!Your fail-safe guide to hosting an amazing party for Samaritans –

even if you can’t get everyone together in person.

socially

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SamaritansChristmas Appeal

Contents

Thank you so much! ................................................................................................ 3

On your marks, get set, party! .............................................................................4

Fundraising party games to help us keep listening ......................................... 5

Your ultimate (socially distanced) Christmas playlist ......................................8

You can change the story for people like Jason ...............................................9

Make your place look Sam-mazing! .................................................................10

If you need us, we’re here. .................................................................................... 11

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Thank you so much!

By hosting a party for Samaritans this Christmas, you’ll help us be there for more people who desperately need to talk. Your party this year could help someone change their story forever.

Sure, Christmas parties in 2020 need to be a little different, but different can still be brilliant. Whether you’re planning a virtual celebration or getting a few people together, we’ve filled this guide with tips on how to put on a party your colleagues will love.

So pour yourself a cup of tea, read through our guidance and get ready to put big smiles on people’s faces. We all need a chance to relax and have fun this year, and if you have any questions, just get in touch. Our contact details are on page 11.

Thank you so much again for your support. Your fundraising will make sure we’re here to listen when people need us most.

Samaritans Executive Director of Income

On Christmas Day in 2019, our volunteers answered

over 10,050 calls for help.

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On your marks, get set, party!

Getting everything organised nice and early makes sure you can relax and enjoy your party with everyone else. These are our eight easy steps for a stress-free shindig.

1. Choose your date carefully – and early It’s always a good idea to give people plenty of time. Try to avoid times too close to Christmas, when people might have taken leave. Thursdays are ideal, because people who’ve booked a long weekend can still come.

2. Spread the word Once you’ve got a date, let everyone know about it. Send emails. Post on your work intranet. Add it to your email signature. Everyone you know should know you’re hosting a party!

3. Get friends involved Whatever kind of event you’re planning, ask your colleagues to help. More people equals more ideas, more contacts to invite and less for you to do solo.

4. Make a list planner Write a list of everything you need to organise and tick things off as you go. It’s a good way to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and to show the progress you’re making.

5. Make donating easy Set up a JustGiving page as soon as you know what your event will be. People often want to give even if they can’t make your party, so make it easy as possible for them to donate. Adding a fundraising target makes a big difference too.

6. Ask about matched giving Lots of businesses will double the amount of money raised by staff. Definitely worth asking in case yours is one of them. 7. Don’t forget Gift Aid Make sure people know that if they tick the Gift Aid box when donating, they can give 25% more at no extra cost.

8. Enjoy yourself Parties should be fun for everyone – including you! So give yourself as much time as possible to get everything sorted in advance. That way you’ll be able to have just as good a time as your guests.

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Fundraising party games to help us keep listening

With a little imagination, your 2020 Christmas party will be a full-on festive winner. Forget the dodgy DJs and awkward small talk. This year’s best events will be...

Tea parties and dinner parties Ask people to donate to join in and you’re on your way to fundraising success. If you’re meeting virtually, ask everyone to share and make a recipe beforehand and compare your culinary creations. You could even bake or cook together during your video call. If you’re getting together where you work, ask everyone to bring in something special for a socially distanced feast. You might not be able to share what you’ve made, but it definitely beats a solo sandwich.

Virtual film screenings Watch a classic festive flick together, even if you’re miles apart. Ideally choose a film that’s on terrestrial TV so everyone can watch it easily – the TV stations publish Christmas schedules a long time in advance. Ask people to pay for a ticket to the event, then chat about the film online afterwards. You could even ask people to give a donation to watch in fancy dress and add to the festive fun.

Make more with Christmas jumpers

To help increase your festive fundraising, why not collect £2 from everyone who wears a Christmas jumper – and £3 from everyone who doesn’t?

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Online cocktail party Research a selection of classic cocktails that can be made with simple ingredients (non-alcoholic ones are perfect, and we’ve included the recipe for our very own Sam Collins opposite). Arrange a video call, ask your guests for a donation to join you wearing their swankiest glad rags and then take people through the process of mixing up some magic. Cheers!

Talent contest You might not be able to sing your heart out on the dancefloor this Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t share your creative talents with your colleagues. Ask people to pay to take part in a talent contest – whether they’re the next Dolly Parton, Derren Brown or Diversity. Watch everyone perform online. And ask your audience to make a donation to choose their favourites. It’s a great way to raise funds (and to find out all kinds of things you didn’t know your colleagues could do).

Make sure you download our Samaritans Zoom background and ask your colleagues to do the same. You’re not properly dressed this Christmas without it!

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http://www.samaritans.org/corporate-christmas

Virtual craft-alongs Find instructions online for a simple festive craft idea that uses things people have around the home. Ask for a donation for people to sign up, send your guests the list of what’s needed in advance so they can get everything ready, then make a mini-masterpiece together online. It’s amazing how different the same thing can look!

Virtual bingo nights It’s a fact – everyone loves bingo. So ask for a donation from everyone who wants a seat at your virtual bingo hall, practise your cheesiest bingo caller voice, screw up bits of paper with the numbers on and see just how competitive your colleagues can get…

Online auction Ask local businesses to donate gifts or experiences – like restaurant meals or entry to a tourist attraction. Then auction them live online, with all proceeds going towards your fundraising. It’s win-win.

Planning a cocktail party? Try our Sam Collins recipe A non-alcoholic Samaritans take on the classic Tom Collins, this is a seriously refreshing addition to any Christmas. Why not make it together with your guests?

You will need• 60ml pomegranate juice• 30 ml soda water• Pomegranate seeds• 1 lime• A tall glass

Then just• Squeeze the lime into

your glass• Add a few chunks of ice• Pour in the pomegranate juice• Add the soda water• Garnish with the

pomegranate seeds• Stir and enjoy!


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Your ultimate Christmas playlist

Whether you are planning on playing some music at your virtual party or meeting or want to bring people together with a shared playlist, these are the tunes you need. A hearty helping of Christmas classics, some lesser-known festive gems and a few songs to bring us all together, even if apart. Let the desk dancing begin!

Step Into Christmas ........................................................... Elton John

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree .............................Brenda Lee

We Are Family ...............................................................Sister Sledge

Santa Claus is Coming to Town ....................................... Jackson 5

We’re All In This Together .................High School Musical Cast

Wonderful Christmastime ................................... Paul McCartney

I’ll Be There For You .................................... Theme From ‘Friends’

What Christmas Means to Me ..............................Stevie Wonder

Merry Xmas Everybody .............................................................Slade

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day ......................... Wizzard

Jingle Bell Rock .............................................................. Bobby Helms

8 Days of Christmas .................................................Destiny’s Child

Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) .............The Darkness

Dancing Queen ............................................................................Abba

Don’t Stop Believing ................................................................Journey

Santa Tell Me ............................................................. Ariana Grande

Stay Another Day ..................................................................... East 17

Together In Electric Dreams ........................ The Human League

socially distanced >

Got Spotify? Get the playlist hereYou can

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https://spoti.fi/353A1iJ

You can help people like Jason change their story

Your party will help us be there for more people like Jason. Thank you. We can only do what we do thanks to people like you.

It was at Christmas time a few years ago that the pain I was experiencing became overwhelming to the point that I didn’t feel there was a benefit to being here. I had lost my family, or so I thought at the time, my job and the only support in my life – my mum. Things became too much, and I took actions not to be here.

It was my ex-wife who convinced me to pick up the phone to Samaritans. It was at that moment I was honest to myself for the first time. I had completely lost my way before the call. Samaritans gave me hope. They helped me to find my purpose again. I realised that I still had a lot to live for. Now, several years on, I have a completely different outlook on life.

Your support for Samaritans changes the story for people like me every day. Thank you so much for your kindness. I know just how much being listened to can mean.

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Make your place look Sam-azing!

STEP 1

STEP 2 STEP 3

Click the buttons to download and print our Christmas bunting and paper chains.

Drape them all over your ceiling. Bask in the incredible festive atmosphere you’ve created!

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Having a party? You need bunting!Simply copy this page, cut out the shapes. thread them together using ribbon through the holes and it’s officially Christmas!

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It isn’t Christmas without paper chains!Cut. Loop. Stick. Repeat. Cut. Loop. Stick. Repeat. Make a few copies of this page and you’ll be a paper chain pro in no time.

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Bunting Paper chains

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If you need us, we’re here.

If you have any questions about your event, we’re here to listen. It’s what we do.

How to send us your donations

If you’ve set up a JustGiving page, all donations are sent directly to us.

If you have donations you’ve collected in person, please send a cheque to Samaritans, The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 2AF.

If you want to pay in money online, head to samaritans.org/christmasfundraising

Thank you for your incredible support!

Contact details

Call our Supporter Care Team: 03709 00 00 32

Email us: [email protected]

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http://samaritans.org/christmasfundraising

Fundraising over? This is really just the start.

Because of your fantastic efforts, our volunteers will now be able to answer even more calls for help. Thank you for changing the

story with Samaritans this Christmas.

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you can change the story - samaritans...you could even bake or cook together during your video call....

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