The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026: Help Us Give Children the Gift of Learning for Life

‍From 1st – 8th December 2026, your donation to Mulberry Bush could have twice the impact, helping us transform learning spaces and create brighter futures for children affected by early trauma.

For many children at Mulberry Bush, learning isn't simply about reading, writing or passing exams. It's about discovering what they're capable of, building confidence and beginning to believe in themselves.

This Christmas, we're taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise vital funds for the next phase of our Learning for Life campaign, creating safe, supportive spaces where children can develop the skills, independence and self-belief they need for the future.

And for one week only, every donation made through our Big Give campaign will be doubled, up to our £50,000 match-funding target.

Support our Big Give Christmas Challenge

When the right environment changes everything

When nine-year-old Ben (name changed) first arrived at Mulberry Bush, even stepping into a classroom felt overwhelming.

Having experienced significant neglect and instability in his early years, Ben struggled to trust adults and had stopped believing that school was somewhere he could succeed.

But with the right support and environment, things began to change.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we launched Learning for Life, transforming classrooms into therapeutic learning spaces designed around the needs of children affected by trauma.

For Ben, calmer surroundings, flexible seating and sensory adaptations helped him feel safer and more comfortable in the classroom.

Slowly, he began staying in lessons. Then participating. Then asking questions.

Most importantly, he began to believe in himself.

Ben's story shows how much can change when a child has an environment that understands and supports their emotional needs.

What are we fundraising for this Christmas?

This year's Big Give Christmas Challenge will help us deliver Year 2 of Learning for Life, transforming two important spaces at our residential school in Standlake, Oxfordshire.

A new classroom designed around children's needs

We want to move a class currently based in our smallest classroom into a newly refurbished learning environment, complete with outdoor access and dedicated breakout areas.

These improvements will give children more space to learn, regulate their emotions and engage with education in ways that respond to their individual needs.

Our first specialist Design Technology and Life Skills Hub

The former classroom will then become a dedicated space for practical, hands-on learning.

From woodworking and design projects to cooking and everyday life skills, the new hub will help children develop creativity, resilience, confidence and independence.

For a child who has spent years believing they cannot succeed, preparing a meal independently or completing a project from start to finish can represent an extraordinary achievement.

These experiences are about more than learning practical skills. They're about helping children recognise their own abilities and imagine new possibilities for their future.

Your donation could make twice the difference

Between midday on Tuesday 1 December and midday on Tuesday 8 December 2026, donations made through our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign will be matched pound for pound, up to our £50,000 match-funding target.

That means:

• £20 becomes £40, helping provide tools and materials for practical woodworking activities.
• £50 becomes £100, supporting therapeutic cooking sessions that build confidence and independence.
• £100 becomes £200, helping children develop creativity and self-belief through meaningful design projects.
• £500 becomes £1,000, contributing towards specialist storage and organised, accessible learning environments.

Every contribution, whatever its size, can help us create spaces where children feel supported to learn, discover their strengths and develop greater independence.

Please note: Donations must be made directly through our Big Give campaign page between the specified dates to qualify for match funding, subject to the available matching funds.

Help us create brighter futures this Christmas

At Mulberry Bush, we believe meaningful change begins with understanding, relationships and the individual.

Through Learning for Life, we're putting that belief into practice, creating environments where children who have experienced profound emotional pain can feel safe enough to explore, learn and begin believing in themselves.

From 1–8 December, you have the opportunity to make twice the difference.

With your support, we can take the next step in our Learning for Life vision and create spaces that open up new possibilities for the children in our care.

Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge

The campaign opens at midday on Tuesday 1 December and closes at midday on Tuesday 8 December 2026. Only eligible donations made through our official Big Give campaign page during this period will be matched.

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